Kültür Emek-Sen

Legal

Cases and legal proceedings we have launched to protect the legal rights of culture workers.

Rights Guide by Sector

Pick your sector to learn your rights, protections and answers to frequently asked questions.

Theatre

State Theatres staff, Law No. 5441, performance compensation and touring rights.

Music

State Opera and Ballet, the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, state choirs and performers' rights (Art. 80, Intellectual Property Law).

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Library

National Library and public library staff, tenure protections and working conditions.

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Museums and Heritage Sites

Ministry of Culture museum and heritage-site staff, site compensation and excavation rights.

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Cinema

Copyright under the Intellectual Property Law (FSEK) for cinema workers, set safety, and a guide to public cinema institutions.

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AnnouncementOur News

PRESS RELEASE Regarding the State Theaters Coordination Meeting

This year, democratic mass organizations and labor unions were not invited to the State Theaters coordination meeting; as a result, the views of professional organizations were not sought; difficulties were not discussed, and no joint solutions were sought; and a culture of criticism has been sidelined

15 August 2026

21 posts

MAR

AnnouncementOur News

Dear Cultural and Art Workers, Our Comrades in the Struggle

As cultural and artistic workers, we are calling on you to support our struggle by joining the ranks of the United Public Sector Workers’ Confederation. Let’s fight together.

FEB

AnnouncementOur News

No to Double Standards in the Arts!

While the Ministry of Culture plans to provide $100,000 per episode in support to the TV series sector, it has been systematically impoverishing the artists in its own institutions for years.

DEC

AnnouncementOur News

The Urgent Return to Trainee Artist Recruitment Instead of 4/B Must Be Made Immediately!

Some holding doctorates, others trained abroad — our qualified young artists are condemned to an average salary of 35,000 TL under 4/B contracts instead of the trainee artist recruitment clearly stipulated in the institutions' own laws.

OCT

AnnouncementCulture·Art·Cinema

Gender Discrimination Is Unacceptable!

Reports that a concert open only to female audience members is to be held at the Presidential Symphony Orchestra concert halls have been met with great concern.

OCT

AnnouncementLegal

Important Announcement Regarding Bank Promotion Tenders

An announcement to all artists employed at arts institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism regarding their legal rights in salary-promotion tender processes.

SEP

Legal

The Mandatory Presence of a Union Representative in Bank Promotion Agreements

In public institutions and organizations, the inclusion of a union representative on commissions for promotion agreements is a legal requirement.

AUG

AnnouncementOur News

2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement

With the 2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the government has once again condemned 6.5 million civil servants and retirees to hunger and poverty.

MAR

AnnouncementOur News

A Critical Threshold in the Rights Struggle: Seniority Alignment Is on the Agenda!

The previous service periods of personnel who transitioned from 4C to 4A in arts institutions are not being counted toward grade and supplementary indicator; Danıştay proceedings and Ministry negotiations are ongoing.

MAR

Legal

Administrative Investigation Launched in Connection with the Work Stoppage Action Announcement in Bursa

We condemn the administrative investigation launched against our union's legal and collective bargaining secretary on account of announcing the work stoppage action.

DEC

AnnouncementOur News

'Moral Interference' with the Attire of Female Orchestra Artists Is Unacceptable

It has been alleged that at the concert held on 12 December, the attire worn by CSO artists — the same outfits they have worn at every concert for years — was interfered with.

MAR

AnnouncementLegal

We Will Not Share Our Extra Income

We filed a case at the Ankara Administrative Court against the Directorate General of Fine Arts' decision to require artists to share a portion of their extra income with the revolving fund.

JAN

LegalAnnouncement

Constitutional Court Decision on Bonus for Public Officials: The '2 Percent Threshold' Annulled

The Constitutional Court annulled the 2 percent union membership threshold required for the collective bargaining bonus.

NOV

LegalAnnouncement

BAK-SEN Called for Abolition of the 2% Trade Union Threshold

The Confederation of Independent Civil Servants' Unions applied to the Constitutional Court for the abolition of the 2% trade union threshold.

OCT

Legal

Our Union Filed a Case at the Danıştay Over Underpaid Across-the-Board Wage Increases for Artists

Kültür Emekçileri Sendikası filed a case at the Danıştay over across-the-board wage increases that were underpaid to artists.

JUL

Legal

Council of State Halts Unlawful Practices in 4B-to-Permanent Conversions

The Council of State announced its ruling on unlawful practices in the process of converting 4B-status personnel to permanent civil servant positions.

JUL

Legal

7-Month Prison Sentence for Supervisor Who Obstructed Union Membership

A court sentenced a supervisor to 7 months in prison for obstructing employees' right to join a union.

JUN

Legal

Those Dismissed by Emergency Decree (KHK)

A report on the situation of cultural and arts workers dismissed through Emergency Decree (KHK) during the state of emergency.

JUN

Legal

Relevant Legislation

Key legal regulations directly concerning cultural and arts workers.

JAN

Legal

Presidential Symphony Orchestra Trainee Artist Recruitment Examination: Yet Another Concrete Example of Disregard for the Law

Irregularities in violation of regulations were identified in the Presidential Symphony Orchestra's trainee artist recruitment examination.

JAN

Legal

Court Case Regarding Performance Evaluation of Contract Artists Concluded

The Council of State announced its ruling on the performance evaluation system applied to contract artists.