The Government has approved this new subsidy and a series of measures to adjust social protection to the particularities of these workers
The special unemployment benefit for the cultural and artistic sector has already landed. The Council of Ministers has approved in 2023 this new subsidy and a series of measures to adjust social protection to the particularities of these jobs. And it is that most artists find themselves in a work situation where some months they have a large amount of work and others where their income is drastically reduced.
The majority of workers in the cultural sector are governed by the special Social Security regime for self-employed workers, which this year undergoes several changes to implement the new contribution system. So when they are without work they must request the cessation of activity instead of the strike that is intended for people who are in the general regime. From now on they will be able to take advantage of both aids. The Ministry of Culture clarifies that in the event that the new special benefit is more beneficial than a previous benefit, pending resumption, they will be able to choose to receive the new special benefit. In addition, the provision is compatible with the perception of intellectual property and image rights.
Who can request the benefit
In addition to artists, the unemployment benefit may also be requested by workers in technical and auxiliary activities. Workers in the cultural and artistic sector can access the new aid if they meet the requirements of one of the following two situations:
– Evidence that they are legally unemployed and have paid 60 days of contributions for the actual provision of services in the artistic activity in the last 18 months.
– Prove 180 days of registration in Social Security for actual provision of services in the artistic activity or annual regularizations already carried out in the 6 years prior to the legal situation of unemployment, provided that they have not been taken into account for the recognition of a benefit previously.
Amount and duration
The duration of the benefit is four months and it is endowed with an amount of up to 100% of the Multiple Effects Public Income Indicator (IPREM) for contributions that exceed the threshold of 61 euros. Below that level, a benefit of 80% of the IPREM will correspond. In 2023, the IPREM increases to 600 euros per month and 7,200 euros per year, so unemployment and SEPE subsidies rise.
Other measures for the cultural sector
The Royal Decree includes other measures so that the social protection of workers in the cultural sector is adjusted to the characteristics of their professions, especially the intermittency of their activity, especially reinforcing support for the self-employed who have low incomes.
– The compatibility of 100% of the retirement pension with artistic activity is extended, also for the passive classes. Until now, this compatibility only reached activities that generated intellectual property rights; As of the entry into force of this rule, it will also apply to related activities (for example, a conference associated with the presentation of a book, and not only to the property rights of the work). In addition, the compatibility extends beyond the artists, interpreters or performers of scenic, audiovisual or musical arts, also reaching professionals who carry out necessary technical or auxiliary activities.
– The beneficiaries of a non-contributory pension may also make it compatible with income from their artistic activity, provided that they do not exceed the threshold of the Minimum Interprofessional Salary.
– The contribution of pensioners when they carry out artistic activities is regulated, which will only be for professional contingencies, with a special solidarity contribution of 9% for common contingencies.
– For low-income self-employed artists (equal to or less than 3,000 euros per year), the standard incorporates a reduced contribution: in 2023 a contribution base of 526.14 euros is set for them, which represents a monthly fee of 161 euros. The database will be updated in subsequent years. In addition, in view of the irregularity of many of the activities of this group (and, therefore, of the income they generate), the possibility is opened, at the request of the interested party, that the term for payment of the quotas be quarterly, instead of monthly.
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