Canacine, STPS Collaborate to Boost Film Industry Labor Formality

The National Chamber of the Cinematographic Industry (Canacine) and the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS) signed an agreement to improve working conditions for employees in the Mexican film and audiovisual industry. The objective is to meet the quality standards for working conditions mandated at both national and international levels within the sector.

"[The agreement] symbolizes a historic milestone directly benefiting the thousands of individuals employed [by] the Mexican film industry," according to Canacine's press release. The main goal of this collaboration is to provide extensive training for employees in the Mexican film and audiovisual industry, improving their understanding of formal labor practices and social security measures.

This agreement is meant to serve as a guide, summarizing crucial insights pertaining to job formalization within the Mexican film and audiovisual industry. The partnership also anticipates verifying compliance with the formalization of employment and the provision of social security benefits for individuals working in this sector. This carries significance as informality within the audiovisual industry poses a significant problem in Mexico. 

“Today, production companies, which exhibit a very specific behavior characterized by rapid growth and decline due to project-based work, typically [only] have between 10 and 15 employees registered with the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS). When you look at the industry's ecosystem, you are talking about approximately 35% to 40% [laborers] being in precarious or informal employment," Avelino Rodríguez, President, Canacine told Reforma.

Protocols for efficient workplace inspections in the film industry are also to be established. “Formal jobs within the film and audiovisual industry will receive support from the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare and its Minister Marath Bolaños. This assistance aims to provide training on various labor-related topics and enhance competitiveness on the international stage,” published Canacine on its LinkedIn profile.

The health emergency of COVID-19  that the film industry was already facing, such as job instability and gender disparity. In 2021, the film industry in Mexico employed 19,058 individuals, reflecting a notable 21% decrease compared to the previous year. Despite this decline, the industry exhibited resilience in its economic performance, showcasing a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of approximately MXN$9.4 billion (US$546.63 million), according to Statista.

In contrast, in the second quarter of 2023, the landscape transformed significantly with a workforce of 98,500 individuals in the film and audiovisual sector. This dynamic workforce comprises 59% men and 41% women, as reported by Canacine. Moreover, during the first quarter of 2023, there were recorded sales of 88 million tickets, a 66% increase in cinema attendance compared to the same period in 2022. Altogether, the industry is poised for expansion in 2024, particularly with regard to the augmentation of its workforce.