Overview of the Artists Syndicates and Mutual Fund
Law No. 56/2008 on the organization of artistic professions was promulgated on 27/12/2008.
This law regulates the formation, activity and membership of these syndicates. Moreover, it stipulates the transfer of competences from the Ministry of Labor to the Ministry of Culture and defines the role assigned to the Ministry of Culture - Directorate of National Cooperation and Coordination - in terms of its relationship with these syndicates.
Eight artists' syndicates are duly registered in the Ministry of Culture. These syndicates receive membership applications according to their field of work and then file them to the Ministry of Culture - Directorate of National Cooperation and Coordination - for approval after verifying that the required conditions are fulfilled.
In addition, this law has stipulated the creation of a mutual fund for artists and decree No. 7535/2012 dated 15/02/2012 was issued to organize and manage the work of the mutual fund.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Law No. 56/2008 and upon the proposal of artists syndicates, a board of directors of the fund was formed to manage the Fund. This board is composed of one representative from each syndicate and a government commissioner representing the Ministry of Culture.
Besides, Decision No 35/2012 Dated 15/5/2012 provides for the formation of a monitoring committee composed of representatives from three syndicates.
This fund accepts memberships after verifying that the required conditions are met, especially that the applicant is a member of a formal syndicate.
The fund is a legal entity with financial and administrative autonomy. The board sets and implements the policy of action of the Fund in line with the needs and aspirations of members and that under the law governing the activity of the fund, and in the framework of the control and monitoring of the Ministry of Culture represented by the Commissioner of the Government, and the competences of the Minister of culture enabling him to approve certain decisions of the board in his capacity as the responsible Minister.
This fund aims to provide social and medical benefits to members:
- Sickness, death and accident allowances to the members or their dependent family members.
- Assist member in the event of marriage and the birth of a child.
- Promoting education and specialization by providing financial assistance, scholarships and loans to the members and their dependent children.
- Fix a retirement pension for the members.
The Lebanese state endeavored to support this fund by imposing taxes under the law 56/2008 and Decree No. 7535/2012.
The fund resources:
- Annual membership fees
- A tax of two percent on all event tickets (theater, concerts) and all artistic activities, collected by the Ministry of Finance and transferred monthly to the fund.
- A tax of ten percent on foreign artists contracts collected by the Ministry of Finance and transferred monthly to the fund.
- An annual financial contribution from the budget of the Ministry of Culture, prescribed by the Minister.
- Contributions and grants approved by the Minister of Culture.
