Precarious working conditions for artists
Many artists work under precarious conditions, according to a (non-representative) study by the Hans Böckler Foundation on the situation - primarily in Germany. A clear majority of those affected expect poverty in old age.
In 2011, there were over 18,000 musicians and almost 22,000 performing artists in Germany who were subject to social insurance contributions. In 2014, around 51,000 musicians and over 24,000 actors and dancers were registered with the artists' social insurance fund, which is open to self-employed people with an annual income of 3,900 euros or more.
Net income is 40 percent below 10,000 euros per year. The precarious income situation is also due to the fact that 70% of musicians, dancers and actors have to provide unpaid services. A good 80 percent of those surveyed feel that their employment situation is insecure. Deficits in the working environment such as unheated rooms, unsuitable dance floors or poor accommodation are a problem for half of the artists. Almost as many state that protective regulations such as the Working Hours Act are sometimes not complied with. A third have experienced breaches of contract, abuse of power and arbitrariness. A lack of co-determination at work was reported by 25 percent, bullying by 17 percent and sexual harassment by 5 percent.
2,635 working people took part in the online survey. In addition, detailed interviews were conducted with 22 artists, event organizers, agents, politicians and representatives of educational institutions and associations. The survey is not representative, but allows "qualified insights into the working conditions of artists".
Link to the study: http://www.boeckler.de/pdf/p_study_hbs_319.pdf
