A new International Labour Organization (ILO) Policy Guidance Note shows how collective bargaining and social dialogue can advance fair pay, safety and social protection for millions of workers in the arts and entertainment sector.
The arts and entertainment sector spans from film, music, theatre, broadcasting and visual arts to the fast-growing digital media segment. It is a major source of employment, innovation and cultural expression. Yet, it continues to face persistent decent work deficits, including informality, unpredictable work arrangements and limited access to social protection.
Drawing on more than 50 collective agreements and national examples from around the world, the new guidance, titled Achieving decent work in the arts and entertainment sector: The role of collective bargaining, shows how effective social dialogue can make the creative economy more fair, inclusive and sustainable.
"Collective bargaining allows workers and employers to shape solutions that reflect the realities of the sector, be it conditions of employment or emerging issues related to digitalization" said Frank Hagemann, Director of the ILO Sectoral Policies Department. "It can help in addressing the impact of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, and strengthen protection for self-employed artists."
The publication reviews innovative practices from different regions:
- In Germany, a new film industry agreement introduced shorter workweeks, stricter hour limits and higher overtime pay in 2024.
- In Belgium, a new agreement established minimum fees for self-employed artists and technicians in publicly funded performances in 2024.
- In Senegal, the first collective agreement in the music sector established minimum pay, social security coverage and a one-stop system for contributions in 2024.
- In the United States, a union agreement extended benefits to social media influencers, in 2021.
The report also shows how public funding can serve as a lever for decent work by linking subsidies to respect for collective agreements and fair remuneration standards.
Building on the conclusions of the ILO's 2023 Technical Meeting on the Future of Work in the Arts and Entertainment Sector, the guidance note calls on governments, employers and workers to strengthen social dialogue, adapt legal frameworks, and expand capacity-building to ensure that all creative professionals can enjoy the right to collective bargaining.
"This publication provides practical pathways for ILO constituents to make decent work a reality in the creative economy," said Margherita Licata, Technical Specialist at the ILO Sectoral policies department. "It shows that through collective bargaining, social partners can address technological change, promote equality and ensure that artistic freedom goes hand in hand with fair and safe working conditions."
