Pearle* expresses its views on the role of the sector in relation to visas

Today, at a seminar organised by DG Culture, Pearle's director proposed ways to go forward to improve the administrative practices on artists' mobility and visas.

Developing a European Online Interactive Risk Assessment Tool (OiRA) for the use of touring producti

The social partners in the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee on Live Performance have been engaged in an active exchange on risk assessment norms and practices in the sector since 2009. This has involved an ongoing exchange of good practice between employer and worker representatives, as well close communication with the Bilbao Agency on Occupational Health and Safety regarding their Risk Assessment campaign 2008 and 2009 and their ongoing work in facilitating the development of Online Interactive Risk Assessment Tools (OiRA Project). The project will aim to provide a tool, for risk assessment in the Live Performance sector in Europe. This will help to deliver risk assessment in general and provide a solid basis for future national work to refine and improve the tool for direct national use in the various EU Member States. It will also serve as a resource in countries beyond the EU, in particular candidate countries and neighbouring countries. The Live Performance sector encompasses workplaces with such a diversity of elements to be considered in relation to occupational health and safety, that they can prove an enormous challenge. When one considers the technical elements in relation to set, rigging and stage; the stunts and performances on the stage; the chemical and hazardous substances that may be used in special effects; frequent high noise levels and the presence of an audience, it is clear that special, sector-specific risk assessment approaches are vitally necessary. It is for this reason, that highly comprehensive and structured risk assessment approaches to production in the sector have been developed at national level in many countries and there is a range of good practice to draw upon. The European Social partners are convinced of the utility of using this experience to craft a European IRAT, which will serve as a useful bridge in the context of touring, where national approaches to risk assessment may differ, due to specific regulations at national, regional and even local level. It will also make the expertise available in this area easily accessible and user-friendly in a format that will be of direct use to employers and workers in the sector who wish to develop their practice in this area. It will therefore result in a tool which is based upon the European health and safety legislation. Users would still need to check specific national, regional or local regulations. The project starts with the appointment of an expert to work on the content development. The call is attached. Applications are due mid-January 2013. This project receives the support of the European Commission.

Open letter from International Cultural Industry Associations on VAT increase in Spain

The Spanish governement recently decided to more than double VAT on admissions to cinema, live music events and theatre from 8 to 21 per cent. Therefore Pearle*, together with a broad range of international cultural industry organisations, wrote an open letter to express their concerns. This letter was sent to Mr Barroso, President of the European Commission Mr Mariano Rajoy, President of the Spanish governement. Convinced that this decision will damage the cultural sectors concerned, both in and outside Spain, the signatories to the letter urge the Spanish governement to reconsider its decision.

Copyright users present possible improvements to the Collective Rights Management directive

The Copyright Users' Platform presents possible improvements to the proposal for Directive on the Collective Rights Management. The users make proposals for improvement to Title II and provisions on dispute resolution mechanisms. It builds further on the Common CUP principles on transparency and governance of collective rights management organisations and dispute resolution mechanisms, which were published in April 2012.

Social dialogue in the EU live performance sector. A focus on the role of employers associations.

Publication in the context of the European project on 'social dialogue in the live performance sector in the EU. Strengthening capacities of national employers organisations in the EU and candidate countries to support a sustainable environment for European sectoral social dialogue'.