The Vice President of the Government and Minister of Labor, Yolanda Díaz, together with Ernest Urtasun, Minister of Culture, presented the new Royal Decree that modernizes the Artist Statute and updates the labor framework dating back to 1985, thus adapting the rules to the new digital age. The proposal has already been opened for public consultation and, as explained, will not need to go through Congress because it has executive status, which promises agility in its implementation.
For the first time, the participation of minors in artistic activities is uniformly regulated: self-employment or work from home is prohibited, and employment is required, ensuring that a company is responsible for safeguarding their training, health, social life, and leisure time, with limited working hours and schedules based on age. Regarding generative artificial intelligence, the decree establishes that the image, voice, or performances of creators may not be used without express authorization and agreed-upon financial compensation, including specific clauses in contracts or collective agreements, and prohibiting their use except in strictly authorized phases of the production or promotional process.
Finally, the role of an intimacy coordinator is mandatory for any filming or preparation of an intimate or sexual scene, ensuring that the consent, privacy, and physical and emotional well-being of the performers are respected; the company must inform the performers of this before signing the employment contract. These measures represent a significant regulatory leap that seeks to dignify and protect labor rights in the Spanish cultural sector, adapting to the challenges of the digital and technological era.