In a letter to Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Arts and Culture, the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA) expressed their concerns about the unjust treatment of artists in the film and television industries and asked for a meeting.
SAGA is a public benefit, non-profit organisation that defends the legal and contractual rights of actors in voiceovers, live theatre, corporate productions, and TV and movie commercials.
The organisation claims workers are subjected to unfavourable conditions in the unregulated sector. Actors are not the only freelancers who frequently go unpaid; background actors, technical crew, and other freelance service providers are also affected. This is a worrying trend in the industry, not least because actors have no other way to make money. After all production work is halted during the holiday season.
“Recurring non-payment of freelance workers is not limited to actors, it includes background actors, technical crew and other freelance services providers. This is an alarming industry development, not least of all because production work is suspended over the festive season, which leaves actors no alternative earning opportunities. Another example of abusive practices growing in the industry a trend by film/TV production to renege on their contractual obligations to pay actors, technical crew and background actors for the work they have done “, SAGA explained.
It further appealed for collaborative efforts between the Arts and Culture Ministry and the Department of Employee of Labour for the introduction of appropriate labour law provisions that will protect freelance workers from any unfair practices.
SAGA added that the intervention of national government will help build a sustainable industry through fair regulation and transformation.
