Argentine audiovisual industry reconstruction requires new and modern laws

Representatives of different organizations in the Argentine audiovisual industry debated in the Senate the complex situation of the audiovisual sector, and in particular, Polka´s critical situation. Several requested advancing towards work regulations and agreements that will enable the industry to be more competitive.

Ricardo Rodríguez, secretary of the Professional Council of TV Argentores, emphasized that authors have no work and that the situation will get worse if new laws are not created. “That has been going on for quite some time. Today it is much easier to work for other countries and there are many people who work from here writing series and films. The situation will get worse if we don’t create the laws we need so that our workers and our creators can be represented ”.

Sergio Vainman, author and VP of the same entity, expressed: “The disappearance of Polka is a tragic situation for its workers, but the disappearance of the last important audiovisual production company in the country is a catastrophe for the industry”. And he added: “The possibility for the rebuilding of the audiovisual industry is inexistent in Argentina if the laws and regulations that allow us to have the necessary tools for this do not appear”.

Horacio Arreceygor, General Secretary of the Argentine Television Union highlighted that the content industry is paralyzed, that the workers of Polka are earning 75% of their salary and that although the help of the State is important, “it is essential for Clarin (owner of 55% of the stock package) maintains the jobs and salaries”.