The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) welcomes the long-overdue decision by the Department of Employment and Labour to extend full labour law protections to workers in the creative and performing arts sector.
For decades, actors, musicians, dancers, models, film and television crews and other cultural workers have been treated as “independent contractors, a label deliberately used to deny them basic rights that every worker deserves. Behind the glamour of the industry lies a harsh reality of exploitation: irregular incomes, unpaid overtime, unsafe working conditions, no medical cover, no UIF, no paid leave, and no protection when injured or dismissed.
This historic step to classify creative workers as employees under South Africa’s labour laws is a victory for justice and dignity.
Once implemented, these workers will finally be covered by:
- the National Minimum Wage,
- the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, including regulated hours and paid leave,
- the Labour Relations Act, guaranteeing protection against unfair dismissal and the right to organise, and
- Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases, ensuring protection when injured on set or on stage.
These are not privileges. They are rights that should never have been denied.
Ending “disguised employment”
SAFTU has consistently warned that employers across many sectors abuse “freelance” and “contractor” arrangements to escape their responsibilities. The creative industry has been one of the worst offenders. This reform is an important blow against the growing casualisation and gig-ification of work.
An injury to one is an injury to all, whether in a factory, hospital, mine, classroom or film set. But rights on paper are not enough We caution that legislation alone will not end exploitation. Enforcement is critical. Producers, agencies and corporations must not be allowed to find new loopholes to undermine workers’ rights. We therefore call for:
- strict enforcement and inspections by the Department of Employment and Labour,
- mandatory written contracts and contributions to UIF and compensation funds,
- collective bargaining frameworks for the sector, and • unionisation of creative workers to defend these gains. SAFTU encourages all creative workers to organise themselves into democratic unions and join the broader working-class movement. Real protection comes not only from laws, but from collective power. Creative workers are workers, Culture is work, Art is labour. And labour deserves dignity, protection and fair pay. We stand in full solidarity with performers and all precarious workers fighting exploitation in every sector of the economy.
Issued on behalf of the SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
For media inquiries, contact the National Spokesperson at:
Newton Masuku
newtonm@saftu.org.za
0661682157
Media Officer
Asive Dyani
0719019564
