Artists to be formalised as workers

Mangaliso Kabulika

Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub

COUNTRY’S musicians are set to launch an Artist Welfare Union of Zimbabwe on May 1.

This will coincide with the Worker’s Day holiday.

The union is set to formalise all artists as members of the workforce with pension funds, funeral policies, maternity leave benefits and medical aids.

Founder of the Union, Sarah Dhliwayo said, artists need to operate professionally and become formal as it is no longer about passion but an occupation.

“The industry has grown and there are now too many artists and its high time we formalise.

“We need to get rid of the derogatory term of our artists being called ‘marombe’ because of lack of formalisation.

“We have also been witnessing a trend whereby an artist dies or gets sick; people start begging money to cater for the problem that would have befallen an artist.

“We start blaming the artist android the Government. This needs to stop.

“We are also planning on working with promoters regarding artists contracts in the event that they pass away while on duty as to what is to be churned out towards their funeral and surviving family.

“Female artists who go on maternity leave must also be paid while on leave this should be amended in some of their recording contracts.”

“No artist must suffer.

“So, I’m calling on artists to come and register at the event.

“21 bands are set to perform at the event, and they have already registered with the Union,” said Sarah.