Collective agreements for performing artists, such as actors, were established upon the initiative of Melina Mercouri in the early 1980s. Such agreements have been established with public television and radio companies and between the Association of Greek Actors with theatre entrepreneurs. Typically, performers work on short term engagements, either as independent contractors or on a day salary basis, and often find it difficult to collect the necessary time credits in order to be paid a full pension or have access to unemployment benefits.
Culture professionals benefit from general provisions with regard to pensions and social security, such as a national pension. Nevertheless, the framework of social security for self-employed artists and authors remains sorely lacking, given the precarious and short-term nature of cultural employment. The Ministry of Culture operates an honorary pension scheme limited to a small number of writers and artists deemed to be of national importance (Law 3075/2002).
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