Mr. TAMURA Norhisa
Minister of Health,Labor andWelfare

1-2-2 Kasumigaseki
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8916
JapanMontevideo, November 23,2020Distinguished Minister,
Re: Desperate stae of freelance workers in the arts andentertainment sector in JapanWe are writing to you as we alarmed by the critical situation that
performers and other freelance workers in the media andentertainment industry are enduring today as a resulto of the Covid19 pandemic and the severe measures taken in Japan to contain thespreads of the virus.
Mercedes 933
2901 9412 – 2900 4869
C. P. 11.100 – Montevideo – Uruguay

SUA

Fax: (598) 2902 4054
www.sua.org.uyPIT-CNT

Whilst we obviously understand that these measures are essentials tosave lives, we are concerned about their far-reaching implications forthousands of independent contractors in our industry who have noaccess to wage support schemes and other forms of financial
assistance, including sick pay, that are granted to regular employees
in Japan to uphold their income and help them pay their bills.

Freelance actors, musicians and technical crew, indeed the majorityof the workers we represents in Japan, are paying a heavy price forthese measures : thousands of productions have been cancelled, orsuspended at best, and the revenues that our members dearlycounted on to make it to their next engagement have vanished. Noneof our members have been compensated for this financial loss.

As a result, performers and other freelance workers in the media andentertainment sector are living below the poverty threshold: a large
majority of them has seen their income drop by more than 50% since
February this year , and an alarming percentage is reporting living onzero income.

With no subsidies or emergency grants available to them, theirinmediate survival andthat or their familias who rely on their alreadyprecarious income- is at stake.

Mercedes 933
2901 9412 – 2900 4869
C. P. 11.100 – Montevideo – Uruguay

SUA

Fax: (598) 2902 4054
www.sua.org.uy

PIT-CNT

Those among them who are still fortunate enough to be engaged
have no allowances to turn to when contracting the virus and selfisolating.

Many countries around the World, including Canada, the US, the UK
and most EU countries, have taken bold and unprecedentes stops toprovide comprehensive welfare and revenue protection toa ll workers
Turing the pandemic, granting independent contractors a silmilarlevel of dupport as they provide to employees. This silver lining has
made a huge difference for our members who, despite the precarioussituation, have at least been able ti cater for their most immediateneeds.

FIA,FIM and UNI MEI stand in solidarity with their affiliated unions inJapan, respectively JAU, MUJ and MINPO ROREN. We urge theJapanese government to hear their desperate call and promptlyextend meaningful support measures to all freelance workers in themedia and entertainment sector during this crisis.

Mercedes 933
2901 9412 – 2900 4869
C. P. 11.100 – Montevideo – Uruguay

SUA

Fax: (598) 2902 4054
www.sua.org.uy

PIT-CNTYour truly,President Alicia Dogliotti

SUA Board of directors

Mercedes 933
2901 9412 – 2900 4869
C. P. 11.100 – Montevideo – Uruguay

SUA

Fax: (598) 2902 4054
www.sua.org.uy

PIT-CNT