The Screen Industry Workers Act
The Screen Industry Workers Act (SIWA) changes the way that crew are engaged on all productions. It comes into force on December 30, 2022, and is something that will affect nearly all workers in the screen industry, including visual effects workers.
The Motion Designers Guild of Aotearoa (MDGA) is here to help you understand the whole process.
In short, SIWA creates a bargaining framework that allows workers to negotiate collectively on guaranteed minimum terms of contracting and employment within the Screen Industry. Previously, as a result of the 2010 “Hobbit Law”, workers were prohibited from doing so, a situation which is at odds with nearly every other industry in New Zealand.
The MDGA has been set up in part to address the need for Motion Designers to be able to bargain collectively. We are currently communicating with MBIE and working in conjunction with the Directors and Editors Guild, the Screen Industry Guild, the VFX Guild and others to set up the bargaining process. We are moving forward to become a registered Worker Organisation for motion designers throughout the land.
If you would like to join us go here.
SIWA Guides for Workers and Engagers
MBIE have put together guides and resources for SIWA that are both useful for workers and engagers.
A guide for workers (covering your rights under the act and the type of work covered)
A guide for engagers on requirements for individual contracts
You can get more information on SIWA here:
THE BEE HIVE – press release
MBIE – the agency responsible for coordinating the effort.
THE ACT itself.