Laws and regulations governing the work of artists:
a) Employment and working conditions
There is no specific legislation governing artists’ employment and working conditions.
b) Social welfare (health insurance, occupational accidents, disability, unemployment
and pensions)
As regards social welfare (health care insurance, occupational accidents, disability, unemployment, pensions, etc.), artists are subject to the same laws as other workers.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Professional status for artists
In Brazil, it is necessary to have the status of professional artist (i.e. to be qualified) in order to organize musical and theatre shows in public premises (theatres and other public spaces). This status of professional artist is intended to protect the work of artists who have received training in their occupations.

Health care system
There is no health care scheme specific to artists.
There is no special regime for disabled artists.

Administrative inspections of working conditions
There are no administrative inspections for artistic and cultural events.

SOCIAL WELFARE

Social security is only compulsory for artists who have a work contract, which is rare in the field of culture.

Complementary insurance scheme
Artists who have a contract are required to resort to complementary insurance schemes to obtain adequate coverage. There are private health care schemes available to artists and to all workers in general, on condition that they can afford them.

Most of the contributions and payments are administered by the State.

For more information:
- Organización Iberoamericana de Seguridad Social (OISS): www.oiss.org
- Ministry of Social Welfare: http://www.mpas.gov.br/

REMUNERATION

Minimum level of payment
Even if in some sectors there is a requisite basic wage, it cannot be said that it is really effective since working relations in cultural occupations do not yet function in a regular way.
Usually, artists do not receive a wage but a fee for the work carried out, except in the case of artists employed by companies.

UNEMPLOYMENT

There is no specific unemployment benefit for artists.

Source: Brazil Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, October 2003.