Protection of the economic rights of freelancers in the arts, cultural, creative, and media sectors

Since 2017, SINDIKASI has rolled out initiatives to protect the socio-economic rights of freelancers working in the digital, media, creative, arts, and cultural sectors. SINDIKASI conducted FGDs with freelancers in three cities (Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya) and, in cooperation with the Press, Legal Aid Institute (LBH Pers) conducted a review of labor regulations. SINDIKASI research shows that freelancers are working in unsafe and substandard conditions. As many as 38% freelancers are overwork over 8 hours per day, 86% percent have experienced delays in payment or wages are not paid, 93% do not receive health and social security during the work period, and 79% of female freelancers do not get menstrual leave. One factor for this vulnerability is the informalization of the employment relationship that applies in the cultural, artistic, media, digital, and creative sectors. Moreover, SINDIKASI research shows that 59% of freelancers do not have written work agreements. Therefore, SINDIKASI formulated handbook for freelance service agreement which in general contain: - Affirmation that the employer is subject to legislative/statutory rules and regulations - Contains detailed work descriptions in the form of work results, use of work results, and maximum revision rule - Includes payment mechanisms of several instalments, deadlines, and late fees - Contains wage components consisting of basic wages, employment insurance, health insurance including for the family, and working tools - Provides certainty of working time and rest periods - Contains protection of intellectual property rights - Protects women workers including protection from threats of sexual violence and harassment - Includes dispute resolution through deliberations and industrial dispute resolution procedures