Artists performing in hotels voice their concerns |16 December 2022

Mr D’Offay chairing the meeting on Wednesday (Photos: Louis Toussaint)

A group of artists and musicians performing in tourism establishments have met to express their concerns about the trade and how the two sides could improve their working relationship.

The meeting organised by the Creative Seychelles Agency on Wednesday morning at the International Conference Centre was targeting all performers and was chaired by the agency’s executive director, Emmanuel D’Offay.

He told Seychelles NATION that it was important to initiate this conversation as at times artists performing in hotels get the shorter end of the stick.

“They face a lot of issues but are forced to put up with them because this is how most of them make a living. These need to be addressed as soon as possible, because we want them to get a better deal,” said Mr D’Offay.

Despite a very low turnout with around a dozen performers, those present raised a number of pertinent issues. The artists who agreed to speak to Seychelles NATION did so in anonymity and one of the points raised was the lack of contracts, which put them at the mercy of the hotels.

One artist said that bad policies introduced by the hotels in the first place were not dealt with seriously by the concerned authority, which allowed them to remain in place for years.

“They can ask you to perform at their hotel, and a couple of gigs later they can just drop you without any warning. And since they refuse to sign an agreement with you, this is very easy for them to do,” one said.

Another concern was a disparity in dues paid to performers. Artists felt that there was no proper payment structure, meaning some performers were treated favourable while others less favourable.

“We want clear standards so that we know that if we are performing in cabaret for example, we know what is the price for cabaret and this price is fixed,” said another person.

Artists also complained about competing with foreign artists who are also performing in hotels.

“We do understand for other art forms such as laser light performance or magic because we do not have people specialising in this here and we have to bring them in, but we have enough performers to cater for all hotels around the country and it is a bit demoralising when you are not given a chance but see foreigners performing,” another complained.

Mr D’Offay said that there is presently a tool to block employment of foreign artists, however more needs to be done to protect them in other aspects.

“Since we are consulted for every artist that comes in the country as we have to give the approval stamp for GOP, we can block applications if we feel that the hotels have sacked a performer in bad faith or are not giving them a chance to perform,” he explained. 

Creative Seychelles Agency and those present also called for unity among artists, stating that it was not one performer’s problem but one faced by the entire trade.

“What came out this morning was that we all have the same problem and the same concerns, but since we do not communicate and see each other as rivals, we do not know what is going on and feel the other is better off. Maybe you are better off for a period of time, but then the issue that was affecting a fellow musician will eventually catch up with you, so we need to unite,” said one artist.

This was echoed by the executive director who said they should no longer work in silos as they had a common goal.

He also called on them to better organise themselves and to have better representation, as well as to register as legitimate businesses.

“Pay your insurance and pension fund, so that you can have some sort of protection, because we are tired of seeing artists being destitute and dying without a cent,” said Mr D’Offay.

Following yesterday’s meeting, Mr D’Offay said they have agreed on the common goals, to get hotels to respect artists, for artists to have more self-respect, set standard and to fight for their dues.

Meanwhile, the Creative Seychelles Agency said it will start an exercise next year to audition and record video clips of the artists, to help them prepare their promotional materials and press kit, for gig applications.

“I cannot promote you if I do not know you so people need to understand that they need to have this press kit, as it helps sell their products,” said Mr D’Offay.

Creative Seychelles Agency plans to hold another meeting early next year, with F&B managers where concerns raised yesterday will also be put to them.

Patsy Canaya