Tunisia Adopts New Law Regulating Artist Status and Artistic Professions
Key Points
- The Assembly of the People's Representatives (ARP) adopted the organic law No. 55/2023 regulating "the status of the artist and artistic professions" with a large majority on Tuesday evening.
- The law was approved by 76 votes in favor, one abstention, and no votes against.
- The new law, composed of 45 articles, replaces outdated legislation and aims to strengthen social protection for artists, considering the intermittent and unstable nature of artistic work.
Key Provisions
- The law introduces a "contract artistique" as the norm, defining the rights and obligations of the parties involved.
- A "carte professionnelle" (professional card) is established, with strict criteria for attribution and withdrawal.
- The law recognizes the entry of digital arts and artificial intelligence (AI) into the field of artistic professions, paving the way for legal protection of these new forms of expression.
- To support local creation, the law introduces minimum quotas for the diffusion of Tunisian works in audiovisual media and regulates the participation of foreign artists in national events.
Background
- The legislative process began in 2014 at the initiative of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
- The final version of the law was proposed by over 130 deputies in December 2023, following a series of consultations and hearings with the Commission on Tourism, Culture, Services, and Artisanal Industries, as well as with unions and organizations in the sector.
- The law aims to produce a compromise text that balances the interests of various stakeholders.
Reaction
- The adoption of the law marks the conclusion of a long legislative process.
- Deputies hailed the law as a "victory" for the dignity of Tunisian creators.
- The opening of the plenary session was marked by the presence of a Canadian parliamentary delegation, led by the President of the House of Commons, Francis Scarpaleggia, who is currently on an official visit to Tunis.
