Tens of thousands of freelance and casual performers and crew – and many of their employers – have been denied access the JobKeeper income subsidy following the passage of legislation last night, says the union for arts and entertainment workers.
Although the JobKeeper scheme will provide critical support for long-term employees with a single employer, sole traders and some casuals, these employees don’t represent the majority of people employed in the sector.
“Freelance employees and many loyal casuals will – without urgent changes to the JobKeeper rules, be at least $200 a week worse off. For those who were earning more than $1500 per fortnight, the losses are greater,” said Paul Murphy, Chief Executive of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance.
