Geneva:A recent study by the International Labour Organization (ILO) examines the organization and compensation of work in creative settings such as film sets and concert stages, highlighting challenges faced by workers and enterprises.
According to Wam, the report reveals significant disparities in earnings across music, film, and live performance industries. It notes that essential activities like rehearsals and post-production are not always properly recorded or compensated. The study delves into the interplay between employment arrangements, production economics, and technological changes.
The report, titled "Trends in remuneration and working time Recorded media and live performance," covers sectors like recorded music, film, television, live concerts, and festivals. It draws on research and consultations with employers' and workers' organizations, emphasizing the extensive preparation by creative professionals before the public experiences a concert or film.
Creative workers encounter varying remuneration levels and financial instability, while independent producers and small enterprises face challenges in covering costs and investments due to uncertain demand. The financial risks and rewards distribution within the industry is influenced by these factors.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is noted for its potential to assist in editing and production tasks, altering skill requirements and introducing new supervision and quality-control duties. The use of AI also raises issues around consent and remuneration for existing works and performances.
The report presents various stakeholder perspectives, with workers' organizations focusing on consent and compensation, while industry representatives stress the need for innovation-supportive regulations. Dagmar Walter, Director of the ILO's Sectoral Policies Branch, highlights the importance of social dialogue in developing practical solutions as technology transforms the industry.
The study calls for improved data on earnings and working time, clearer contracts, and better skills development. It suggests that social dialogue, including collective bargaining, can address these issues and create solutions reflective of the sector's diverse realities.