SA actors chuffed at intention to classify artists as standard employees

Actors and performers can now breathe a sigh of relief after the Department of Employment and Labour announced plans to bring them under the protection of South Africa’s labour laws.
 
Labour and Employment Minister Nomakhosaza Meth has published a notice of intention to classify actors, performers and crew members as standard employees.
 
The move aims to protect performers in the TV, film and advertising industries amid growing concerns over unfair dismissals.
 
The department said most individuals in this sector are currently labelled as independent contractors, despite working under conditions like traditional employment.
  
Meth has published a notice to include all performers as workers under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
 
This means actors and crew members in the film and advertising industries will be entitled to annual, sick and maternity leave.
 
They will also be regulated in terms of working hours and overtime pay and protected from unfair or arbitrary termination of their contracts.

The chairperson of the South African Guild of Actors, Jack Devnarain, said this is what they’ve been fighting for.
 
“This is the revolution we have been waiting for since 1994. What distinguishes an industry from a past time and a hobby is recognition and regulation of worker rights.”
 
The minister has given the public until 22  February to comment and submit written representations of her notice.