Better working conditions for artists and technical staff

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The Workers' Statute now includes, as a special employment relationship, artists in the performing, audiovisual and musical arts, as well as the technical and auxiliary staff needed for that activity.
2. The 1985 rules are updated: the scope now covers the internet and streaming, all contracts must be in writing, and the law defines what technical and auxiliary staff means.
3. Fixed-term contracts can only be used for temporary needs, stating the cause and its link to the contract length. If this is not met, the worker becomes permanent.
4. When a temporary contract ends, severance pay becomes 12 days of salary per year worked, or 20 days if the contract lasts more than 18 months.
5. A reduced Social Security contribution is planned for self-employed artists earning under €3,000 a year, and the Government must adapt the rules on self-employed contributions.
6. Contracts under this special relationship are exempt from the extra contribution for temporary contracts under 30 days. The law takes effect on March 31, 2022.

Who it affects

• Artists in theater, film, music, circus, dubbing and other performing, audiovisual and musical arts: They get written contracts, improved severance pay and tighter limits on temporary hiring.
• Technical and auxiliary show staff (setup, tailoring, hairdressing, makeup, etc.): They join the special employment relationship if their work is not structural or permanent for the company.
• Self-employed artists with low income: They may benefit from reduced Social Security contributions if they earn under €3,000 a year.
• Companies producing shows and artistic activities: They must adapt their contracts to the new rules on form, duration and termination.

Words worth knowing

Relación laboral de carácter especial

A special employment relationship with its own rules, different from the general ones, due to the nature of the activity.

Cotización

The money paid to Social Security for working or being self-employed, which gives access to pensions and benefits.

Fijo discontinuo

A worker with a permanent contract who only works when the company has activity, on an intermittent basis.

Real decreto-ley

A rule with the force of law that the Government can pass urgently, without going through the full parliamentary process first.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries