Skip to content
  • About
  • Partner with Us
  • Indonesia
  • Subscribe
  • Log In
Primary Menu
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Topics
  • News
  • Brief
  • Interview
  • Opinion
  • Figure
  • Infographic
  • Video
  • Community
  • Partner
  • Press Release
  • Youth
  • Global
  • Featured
  • Soft News

Decent Work and Rights Protection for Arts and Entertainment Workers

Ensuring a safe and healthy environment for arts and entertainment workers requires implementing regulations and enforcement to provide the foundation of decent work in the arts and entertainment sector.
by Kresentia Madina March 15, 2023
a band with four members are playing in front of audiences under orange-hued lights

Photo: Martin Robles on Unsplash.

Films, music, and stories are part of our everyday joy. Beyond the source of entertainment, arts, in all its forms, can influence our mental and physical well-being and even cultivate global movements in the name of humanity. However, arts and entertainment workers often get into a vulnerable state due to the informal nature of their work.

Informality & vulnerability

The arts and entertainment sector has developed tremendously throughout the years. As technology advances and people get more creative, almost everyone can generate income through streaming-based online platforms and e-commerce. While this means increased job opportunities, these jobs often lack formality and a proper system.

Workers in the arts and entertainment industry often operate on a gig basis, resulting in irregular income. Inadequate remuneration systems, limited access to social protection, and unclear work agreements also explain why the workers in this sector are vulnerable to exploitation and uncertainty. 

Ensuring a safe and healthy environment for arts and entertainment workers requires implementing regulations and enforcement to provide the foundation of decent work in the arts and entertainment sector.

Supporting arts and entertainment workers

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted  in-person performances, exhibitions, and concerts everywhere due to mobility restrictions. Therefore, the arts and entertainment sector needs to build long-term and sustainable strategies to create decent jobs, provide social protection, and practice a responsible and environmentally conscious economy.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) recently hosted a technical meeting discussing the future work in the arts and entertainment sector. The meeting took place from 13-17 February and was attended by representatives from governments and employers’ and workers’ organizations. 

At the end of the session, several recommendations were adopted as the next course of action. The complete list can be found in the summary, but several recommendations are as follows:

  • Governments should adopt, implement, and effectively enforce national laws and regulations to ensure arts and entertainment workers’ fundamental rights at work are applied.
  • In cooperation with employers’ and workers’ organizations, governments should enable an environment for effective social dialogues, ensure robust labor inspection systems, and implement regulations related to adequate minimum wage.
  • The ILO should share good practices, conduct research, and provide guidance on social protection, technology impacts, employment-creation potential, and required skills in the arts and entertainment sector.

Ultimately, providing decent work for all workers is essential for their livelihoods. Implementing clear employment regulations with adequate, regular income and comprehensive social protection can help arts and entertainment workers gain a better footing to continue living a healthy, safe, decent life.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma


Subscribe to Green Network Asia
Strengthen your personal and professional development with cross-sectoral insights on sustainability-related issues and sustainable development across the Asia Pacific and beyond.
Select Your Subscription Plan
Kresentia Madina
Kresentia Madina
Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website |  + postsBio

Madina is the Assistant Manager for Digital Publications at Green Network Asia. She graduated from Universitas Indonesia with a bachelor's degree in English Literature. She has three years of professional experience working on GNA international digital publications, programs, and partnerships particularly on social and cultural issues.

  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Comprehensive and Participatory Drought Monitoring for Improved Disaster Mitigation
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    The Role of Risk Communication for Better Disaster Preparedness
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    How the City of Umeå Addresses Gender Inequality in Urban Areas
  • Kresentia Madina
    https://greennetwork.asia/author/kresentiamadina/
    Implementing Integrated Approach to Strengthen Resilience in South Africa

Continue Reading

Previous: Sindh Rehabilitation Project: Rebuilding Lives and Strengthening Disaster Response
Next: Carbon Offset in Southeast Asia: Assessing Benefits and Opportunities

Related Stories

child surrounded by smoke in the head Integrating Environmental Indicators in Stunting Eradication Strategy
  • Featured
  • Opinion

Integrating Environmental Indicators in Stunting Eradication Strategy

by Alek Karci July 11, 2025
A wet light bulb hanging on a wire How Solar Sister Connects Clean Energy with Women’s Empowerment
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

How Solar Sister Connects Clean Energy with Women’s Empowerment

by Attiatul Noor July 10, 2025
Constructions for biogas development Community-based Renewable Energy Initiatives in Halmahera’s Transmigrant Villages
  • Community Content
  • Featured

Community-based Renewable Energy Initiatives in Halmahera’s Transmigrant Villages

by Arifa Fajar July 9, 2025
wooden blocks with symbols ASEAN and the UK Launched Partnership for Health Security
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

ASEAN and the UK Launched Partnership for Health Security

by Kresentia Madina July 8, 2025
A young man sits alone in a low light room, looking distressed while holding his phone. How the Manosphere Is Reshaping Young Men’s Identity
  • Brief
  • Featured

How the Manosphere Is Reshaping Young Men’s Identity

by Sukma Prasanthi July 7, 2025
Vegetable farming How Plant the Emirates Aims to Support Food Self-Sufficiency in the UAE
  • Exclusive
  • Featured
  • Soft News

How Plant the Emirates Aims to Support Food Self-Sufficiency in the UAE

by Attiatul Noor July 4, 2025

About Us

  • GNA CEO’s Letter
  • GNA In-House Team
  • GNA Author Network
  • GNA Press Release Guidelines
  • GNA Op-ed Article Guidelines
  • GNA Community Content Guidelines
  • GNA Internship
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
© 2021-2025 Green Network Asia