The National Theatre of São João (TNSJ) has faced criticism from the Union of Show Workers, Audiovisual and Musicians (CENA-STE) for its handling of theater staff, as announced in a recent statement. The union claims the TNSJ has renewed its reliance on external contracts for Front of House Assistants for another year, thus missing an opportunity to set a positive example in the industry.
The union accused TNSJ of favoring “false outsourcing” over direct recruitment, maintaining that this approach overlooks the professionals who play a critical role in the theater’s operations. CENA-STE has further requested the theater’s board for more information regarding this matter.
Recently, the public contract between TNSJ and Espalha Ideias – Atividades de Tempos Livres, Lda came to an end. Subsequently, the Front of House Assistants were informed that their contracts had expired, and a new agreement was being established with a different company, effectively prolonging their precarious work conditions for another year, according to the union.
The CENA-STE alleges that TNSJ dodges its employment responsibilities by mandating Run & Slide, Atividades e Formação, Lda to form employment contracts with the assistants. Though this is in accordance with the Culture Professionals’ Statute, the union argues it provides little job security as the contracts are temporary and easily terminated, revealing an intention of false outsourcing.
Information from the public procurement portal BASE reveals that the TNSJ has defined a comprehensive job profile for the Front of House Assistants in its contract with Run & Slide, detailing educational qualifications, professional experience, language proficiency, and more, akin to a direct job advertisement.
Moreover, the contract specifies work schedules, provides uniforms, outlines presentation standards for Run & Slide’s employees, and reserves the right to request the replacement of personnel not meeting set standards in skills or performance.
The union asserts that the assistants have “two employers,” with TNSJ effectively controlling hiring, firing, and all aspects of their work performance.
CENA-STE emphasizes that this form of outsourcing leaves workers with minimum wages and job insecurity, receiving only a fraction of the value spent by TNSJ, with the remainder going to unnecessary intermediaries.
The union has raised concerns with the TNSJ’s administration, seeking assurance that the positions of the Front of House Assistants are secure and that their transition between companies will be “immediate and unconditional.”
“Nine days without a response from TNSJ leaves workers vulnerable to becoming unemployed unexpectedly, joining others who have recently lost jobs under unclear circumstances,” the union noted.
Inquiries directed to TNSJ regarding these issues remain unanswered at this time.
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