Post by Gerhanro Oosthuyzen

A heads-up for anyone in film, advertising, music or the wider creative sector. The Minister of Employment and Labour gave notice in January 2026 of an intention to deem arts, advertising and cultural performers as "employees" under the BCEA, the National Minimum Wage Act, COIDA and the LRA. It isn't settled law. If it's finalised, the effect is real. Performers currently engaged as independent contractors could be treated as employees for minimum wage, basic conditions of employment, injury-on-duty cover and unfair-dismissal protection. That changes how productions budget, contract and insure their talent. What to do while we wait is take stock of how you engage performers and crew, and model what minimum-wage, leave and COIDA obligations would mean for your projects. Better to have the numbers ready than be caught flat-footed by a final notice. Producers and agencies, would deeming performers as employees change how you structure your business? #LabourLaw #CreativeIndustry #SALabourLaw #BCEA #EmploymentLaw