Organizations for literary festivals and events that are funded on a multi-year basis by OCW or the Dutch Foundation for Literature have united in Vlam21. This group used the fund’s HR voucher scheme to commission an exploratory labor market study by HTH Research. The conclusion drawn from this research was that the need for improvement applies mainly to those working on behalf of or employed by the literary festival organizations themselves, not primarily the performing writers. The organizations sometimes follow an adjacent collective bargaining agreement, as far as financially possible, but the differences are great. There is also a need for regulation of working conditions and collective arrangements for self-employed workers in particular (and by extension volunteers).

Rates guideline and standard regulation Employment conditions

With the help of the Vlam21 carters, an initial chain table was assembled and goals were named. In July 2022, an enthusiastic and engaged group met and endorsed the approach and agenda. On the recommendation of the participants, Sylvia Dornseiffer then took office as independent chair of the chain table. Under her leadership, the group met for the second time on Sept. 28. On that occasion it was pronounced that the chain table will work primarily on a proper description of jobs and translate it into a guideline with rates/wages for freelancers and employees.

Currently, the Chain Table of Literary Organizations is hard at work developing a standard Terms of Employment for salaried and self-employed workers at literary festival organizations. At the same time, research is being done on collective bargaining agreements and wage buildings that these organizations can best join or compare with. Work is also underway on a fee guideline for authors on performances and related writing assignments. Where necessary, the chain table is using independent research: agency AWVN for a job structure and agencies HTH Research/PPMC for a rates guideline.