Appendix 6 - International Music Council

The MITT recommends that where artists consider contracts to be unfair, record
companies and music publishers should renegotiate these contracts with artists in good
faith, in line with contemporary industrial relations.
The MITT further recommends that:
• If necessary, the Minister brings the influence of his office to bear on record
companies in this regard.
• The cut off point for contracts open to renegotiations in this regard is contracts
concluded before 1994.
• This process does not prejudice artists taking whatever action they see fit
regarding contracts signed after 1994.
Social security
As freelance workers, the majority of musicians and related workers do not have access
to rudimentary social security.
Recommendation 14:
The MITT recommends that DACST work with relevant insurance institutions to pursue
the best mechanisms to fund and administer social security within the entertainment
industry, in collaboration with MUSA and ASAMI. 26
Ombudsman
The music industry suffers from a relatively high number of complaints and disputes. At
present, largely because most musicians and related workers fall outside of the ambit of
labour legislation and do not have access to legal recourse, adequate arbitration or
resolution mechanisms do not exist.
Recommendation 15:
The MITT recommends the establishment of an Ombudsman for the music industry in
order to resolve disputes in a manner that promotes self-regulation, entrenches minimum
standards and ethical practice, and enforces a code of conduct.
The MITT further recommends that:
• Stakeholders in the music industry jointly fund the office of the Ombudsman;
• DACST drive this initiative;
26 Recommendation 6 suggested that part of the blank tape levy be used to fund this social security for
musicians
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