MEIA and Solidarjetà Formalise Partnership to Strengthen Creative Workers' Rights
The Malta Entertainment and Arts Association (MEIA), a non-governmental organisation representing Malta’s creative sector, and Solidarjetà, a Maltese non-partisan trade and tenant union, are proud to announce a formal partnership agreement. United by a shared vision of a fairer, more equitable creative sector, this collaboration brings together MEIA’s industry-wide advocacy with Solidarjetà’s worker-first organising model.
Since 2020, MEIA has worked to advance the interests of creative professionals by advocating for policy reform, sectoral development, and cultural recognition. Although recently established, Solidarjetà has been at the forefront of empowering workers and tenants across Malta. By extending these missions to a shared structure, this agreement offers a new framework where creatives benefit from both professional representation and workplace protections.
Through this partnership, MEIA and Solidarjetà will offer dual membership opportunities for creative professionals, combining sectoral representation with robust workplace rights, allowing eligible individuals to join both MEIA and Solidarjetà under a single, reduced annual fee of €75 for standard members and €50 for students. This dual structure is designed to reflect the complex realities of working in the arts, where many individuals navigate both freelance and employed roles. Members will benefit from MEIA’s extensive network, opportunities for capacity-building, and its advocacy work on cultural policy and sectoral reform. At the same time, they will have access to Solidarjetà’s tools for workplace support, including assistance with wage disputes, contract negotiations, unlawful termination, and collective bargaining processes. This comprehensive model ensures creatives are represented not only in cultural discourse but also in the labour rights framework that shapes their daily lives.
The collaboration will be formally coordinated through the newly established Creative Workers Board, comprising representatives from both organisations and the wider creative community. This board will guide joint campaigns, address sectoral challenges, and serve as a point of reference for members.
Maria Galea, President of MEIA states: “This partnership strengthens the work MEIA has been building for the past five years, pushing for a creative sector that is taken seriously, not just artistically, but economically and structurally. For too long, artists, designers, performers, and cultural practitioners have faced uncertainty around contracts, pay, and workplace safety. By joining forces with Solidarjetà, we’re combining MEIA’s sectoral expertise with a strong model of worker protection to build a more sustainable foundation for creative careers in Malta. This collaboration gives members tools to stand up for their rights and shape a future where the sector is respected at every level. We’re proud to take this step together and look forward to what’s ahead.”
Matthew Attard, President of Solidarjetà, states: “Over the past year, our discussions with creative workers have clearly demonstrated the urgent need for union representation within the industry. Issues such as late payments, lack of contracts, and insufficient health and safety measures are common. Through this agreement, we are committed to addressing these challenges proactively and collaboratively.”
By the end of July, the joint membership portal will go live on both MEIA and Solidarjetà’s websites, and a series of initiatives, including public consultations, roundtables, and workshops, will be announced. This agreement reinforces the principle that creatives in Malta deserve both recognition as professionals and protections as workers.
We look forward to launching this new chapter together and invite the creative community to join us.
Photos by Audrey Rose Mizzi