About Shaham
Shaham - The Israeli Actors' Association was established on March 9, 2000 as the Screen Actors Association, in order to protect the existence of Israeli culture and creation, the right of Israeli citizens to consume Israeli culture and the right of Israeli actors to create quality culture under appropriate conditions that respect the needs of the work and its creators. Shaham is a registered association that, as of 2017, has about 2,350 members and is currently the largest artists' organization in Israel.
Why do we need Shaham?
The volume of television broadcasts has increased significantly over the past 20 years, as has the film industry. Despite this welcomed growth, the strengthening of broadcasters and producers in the industry has led to erosion and constant attempts to subvert the commitment to local production. Over the years, the actor's status has been undermined due to disgraceful employment conditions, failure to honor labor agreements, failure to respect the rights of performers, ignoring the need for rehearsals, not allocating appropriate time for photography, and signing up only those actors who were willing to waive their rights. Many complaints began to accumulate but were not properly addressed, due to the fact that the actors stood alone. Over time, Israeli actors understood that it's their responsibility to determine their fate. Hence, arose the need to unite and establish a strong and viable organization that would protect the rights of actors, culture and creativity.
The founders of the organization are actors themselves, such as, Sharon Alexander, Moshe Ivgy, Danny Steg, Avital Dicker, Harel Vanof and Yoram Hattabb who also managed the organization and served as chairman of the first board until 2008. At first, the organization concentrated on screen actors only, and over the years as activity expanded the organization's name was changed to SHAHAM - the Israeli Actors Association, and today the organization represents theater actors and dubbing actors as well. Shaham, in Hebrew, are Initials, for "screen actors," and nowadays, it stands for "professional actors".
Goals and Objectives
In addition to Shaham's activities in protecting the status of the actor in film, television and theater, and in developing and strengthening the culture in Israel, the organization also works continually to ward off any real danger to the country's cultural infrastructure.
In 2003-2006, the Ministry of Finance was taking steps aimed at abolishing the Film Law and drastically reduced its support for the film industry, cutting between 50% and 30% per year of the cultural budget, which of course includes the theater in Israel as well. These attempts were warded off by Shaham. During 2014, the organization conducted a publicized campaign to raise the culture budget from 0.18% to 1% of the total state budget. In the framework of our joint activity with the Forum of Cultural Institutions in Israel including Emmy (Israeli Union of Performing Artists), we established the "Center for the Rescue of the Culture in Israel" and launched a "1% for the Soul" campaign, in which we demanded a significant increase in the cultural budget. The struggle was fruitful, and discussions were held ahead of the formulation of the 2015 budget. An unprecedented achievement was recorded; an additional NIS 120 million were approved for the cultural budget in 2015. Since then, thanks to our struggle, the cultural budget has increased by NIS 50 million annually and currently stands at 0.28% of the total state budget. In the years 2014-2016, Shaham has campaigned successfully, along with the filmmakers' organizations, for the opening the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, in order to preserve Israeli democracy and ensuring that original drama productions get their fair share of the NIS 90 million budget. In addition, Shaham continues to fight, along with film and television associations for high-quality television productions.
As the organization became established and as the number of members grew from year to year, we expanded the areas of our activity, and began implementing many diverse projects for the benefit of the actors, thus improving their professional skills and exposing them to all professional theater. Shaham offers a wide variety of low cost courses and workshops offered by top film, television and theater directors, artistic directors, screenwriters, cast assemblers, playwrights, etc. The aim of the workshops and courses offered, is to develop the abilities and methods of acting and expose the actors to top industry officials.
For over a decade, the organization has been organizing the "Exposure" project, which gives 120 young people a chance each year to undergo a series of preparatory workshops, at the end of which the top 30 are selected to present a four-minute dialogue in front of the country's top television, film and theater personalities. As part of the "Auditions in Theater" project, which began in 2011, cooperation was achieved with various repertoire theaters, in which Shaham members are among the first to be invited to audition for new plays.
Achievements and successes
Shaham is active in protecting the rights of actors in Israel, and is also aiming its activities towards the larger community to promote original Israeli creation, by exposing it to a wide range of audiences throughout the country.
Between 2002 and 2008, extensive labor agreements were signed between Shaham and the various broadcasting organizations (Keshet, Reshet, Channel 10, the children's channels, Hot and Yes) also with the Film and Television Producers Association, which regulates the employment conditions of the actors in film and television productions. That includes commitment to pay minimum wages, working hours, payment for overtime, break hours, rest space and the maintenance of appropriate conditions at the production.
In 2017, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation and Partner Co. also signed these agreements, thereby creating a remediation of the field. Everywhere, when an actor who is a member of Shaham comes to work - be it film or television, he or she are always protected by the organization. In recent years we have reached significant achievements in the world of theater.
As of 2012, Shaham has replaced the Histadrut (the largest and oldest workers' organization in Israel) and today it is the sole organization representing Habimah Theater (Israeli National Theater), Cameri Theater, Gesher Theater, Haifa Theater and the Khan Theater, all of whom are signatories to a binding collective agreement, also with the children's and youth theaters in Israel who now, for the first time, are adhering to regulations as far as the employment of actors in children's and youth's plays is concerned.
In 2013, Shaham waged a campaign against the management of the 'Acre Festival', which eventually led to an agreement with the municipality of Acre, whereby, starting in 2014, the festival's management requires the producers of the competition's performances, to pay members of Shaham a minimum wage and adhere to all of the conditions of their employment. Following this agreement, agreements were also signed with the Haifa Children's Theater Festival, the Bat Yam Festival for Street Performances, and the Bat-Yam Musical Festival. Shaham continues the tradition of sending a representative of the organization to visit different sets of film, television and theater productions, in real time, to check the appropriateness of conditions on the set and their compliance with the agreements signed with Shaham, while visiting the set we talk to the actors and encourage them to turn to Shaham if they are wronged. Shaham also provides free legal assistance to its members in all aspects of their professional activities as actors, including personal contracts and legal claims, including representing them in small claims court if necessary.
In addition, in order to ensure a safe environment for study and work, without fear of harm to the dignity, liberty and privacy of actors and actresses, in the acting arena , the organization initiated a convention on the topic of how to prevent sexual harassment in the theater world and closely monitors actors who experienced sexual harassment. This is done in cooperation with the 'Center for Assistance to Victims of Sexual Harassment'.
In 2015 Shaham entered the dubbing industry for the first time, and in early 2016 signed the first agreement in the industry, which led to a significant improvement in the salaries of the dubbers.
In 2016, a preliminary agreement was signed with 'Eve" - the Independent Artists' Union in the Theater, which regulates the terms of employment of actors in independent theater productions.
In 2017, a historic agreement was signed with the largest Israeli Film School at Sapir College. For the first time, the agreement regulates the participation of professional actors in student films, including a mandatory pay, in all film and television schools throughout the country. This is a significant part of our effort as the actors' association in helping define the actor as a professional.
In addition, Shaham provides its members with a wide range of services - theater tickets, special offers and benefits, insurance and pension arrangements, legal and economic advice, and more.
Shaham for the Community
Over recent years since the organization's establishment, we have worked for the benefit of the community, and initiated various projects with the aim of bringing the cultural world closer to the geographic and social periphery of Israel.
Shaham's flagship project 'Culture for the Periphery' (Shaham in the Community ) has been taking place since 2003. Shaham members come to neighborhoods, peripheral cities, schools and community centers and hold cultural events and meetings. In each session you can watch, for free, an Israeli performance or participate in a master class. Afterwards, the audience gets to look "behind the scenes" through a conversation with the filmmakers.
A project that began in 2012 called "Across Israel" - aims to create a theater group in communities where there is no cultural activity. As part of the project, Shaham members guide groups of young people on a regular basis throughout the entire year.
Shaham - The Israeli Actor's Association, is supported by the Culture Director of the Ministry of Culture and Sport and by Eshkolot
Important right protection instructions
Shaham agreements protecting actors' rights and personal contract Important instructions before taking on a job
- Minimum conditions and wages for employment of performance artists were determined in existing, valid agreements between Shaham Organization and various Israeli broadcasting and production entities.
- Prior to beginning employment in a production, the producer must sign a personal employment agreement with the actor, subject to Shaham's agreements with broadcasting and production entities. Thus, in any case an actor's rights are infringed in a personal contract, Shaham agreements take precedent and are binding.
- In case of work on a TV production produced by a member of the Producers' Guild – the personal employment contract must be subject to Shaham's agreement on TV employment with the Producers' Guild.
- In case of employment in a TV production produced by the broadcasting corporation or by a producer who is not a member in the producers' guild – please note the personal employment contract is subject to Shaham's agreement with the relevant broadcasting entity.
- In case of employment in a movie production - please note the personal employment contract is subject to Shaham's agreement with the movie producers' union.
- Please note, the personal contract must clearly state the essence of the movie/ program/ series you are taking part in and the exact number of episodes, shooting days and rehearsals you are required to take part in.
Before signing any personal employment contract please contact the organization for consultation.
18 Rival St., Tel Aviv
Tel: 03-6298468, fax: 03-6200626
Legal department services
Shaham's legal department provides all actors, organization members and others, free of charge, with various legal services on every issue relating to their status and employment conditions as actors:
- Personal legal counseling on all issues related to actors' work
- Legal examination of any personal contract before you begin work
- Complete labor protection for Shaham members only through Shaham's system of agreements with all Israeli broadcast media ensuring minimum conditions and prices for actors
- Debt collection for actors and handling complaints of withheld wages
- Representation, preparation and drafting legal claims in necessary
- All applications for inquiries regarding eligibility for commission from reruns handled
Do not hesitate to apply to our legal department whenever you have been deprived of your rights!
Adv. Adam Cohen Shturm – manager of Israeli creation promotion department and artist status promotion department
18 Rival St., Tel Aviv
Tel: 03-6298468, fax: 03-6200626
[email protected]
About our legal department
Within the artists' status promotion project, the department provides professional legal counseling and legal aid for actors, free of cost, on everything regarding their status and employment conditions as actors, relating to all professional activities.
Following the massive increase in the number of m embers, in order to provide swift, responsible and professional response for the hundreds of actors' complaints every year regarding employers who detract from their rights, the organization upgraded the department and the service it provides by employing external lawyers and legal advisers as well as labor relations experts if necessary.
Consultation by telephone and response to members' queries
The department offers ongoing service and immediate response to any telephoned query on professional issues between 09:00 and 17:00 hours. The department handles every application that constitutes a complaint until the required result is obtained.
Member agreement examination service
The department examines on a daily basis personal contracts sent in by actors and/or their agents and sees how they uphold the actor's rights according to law and Shaham's framework agreements with broadcast and production entities in Israel (Shaham members only).
Ongoing liaison with producers
The organization is in constant contact with various producers with regard to making amendments in personal employment contracts in cases of infringements of actors' rights.
Debt collection for actors and handling complaints of withheld wages
Handing of these complaints begins with the actor's appeal to the department, following that a letter is written to the producer or employing entity with a demand to pay the wages or complement them, and if necessary the department applies to appropriate courts.
Representation, preparation and drafting lawsuits for actors
The organization provides actors with a service that drafts legal documents, provides instructions and preparation for court and accompanies small claims litigations.
Personal meetings and advice for actors
Actors' complaints and legal proceedings are often accompanied by fear on the actor's part that his employer may harm him. Therefore every actor receives special treatment, discrete personal operation and a listening ear.
Collection of information and names of actors taking part in new productions
The department concentrates ongoing information about new productions due to take place in the near future. The department collects information from agencies, other departments in the organization, other organizations, producers and the internet, and appeals to the actors to join the organization and enjoy the rights they are entitled to due to Shaham's agreements with Israeli broadcasting and production entities.
Drafting and renewal of employment agreements with Israeli production and broadcasting entities
Shaham has labor agreements with entities that broadcast and produce TV and movies, anchoring the rights, salary and minimum conditions to be extended to actors who are members of the organization, providing them with a labor safety net.
18 Rival St., Tel Aviv
Tel: 03-6298468, fax: 03-6200626
[email protected]
Self-employed business
Terms
- Taxpayer – a person with income
- Transaction volume/ taxable income – sums the taxpayer earned during the year
- Deductible expenses – expenses accepted for deduction from income for tax calculation purposes
- Profit – taxable income after deduction of different expenses
- Deductions – sums subtracted from taxable income for tax calculation purposes
- Credit – sums deducted from the tax imposed on a taxpayer
Different taxes:
- Income tax – tax imposed on income (in money or of value)
- VAT Value Added Tax – tax imposed on the end consumer of products bearing VAT. VAT is paid directly to the service provider and he must pay it to the tax authority.
- Social Security – tax imposed on income and the remuneration is insurance coverage from various welfare situations (disability, old age, bankruptcy etc.)
Tax invoice – document attesting to a transaction between a seller and buyer or service provider and customer, if the transaction or service include VAT
- The invoice has to contain precise details of the transaction: type of product or service, number of products sold, customer's name, date, pre-tax sum, VAT, total sum including VAT. From 2012 the customer's company number, association number or ID number must be noted too.
- An invoice pad should contain 3 copies: the source that goes to the customer, a copy for bookkeeping and a copy that remains in the pad (the word "source" is written on the source and the word "copy" on the copies).
Receipt – attests to payment remitted by the buyer to the seller for a transaction or service:
- The receipt may be issued prior to the transaction or service (down payment) or following it (credit).
- The receipt has to contain precise details of the transaction: type of product or service, number of products sold, customer's name, date, means of payment: cash, check (including details of check) or credit card. From 2012 the customer's company number, association number or ID number must be noted too.
- An receipt pad should also contain 3 copies: the source that goes to the customer, a copy for bookkeeping and a copy that remains in the pad (the word "source" is written on the source and the word "copy" on the copies).
Tax invoice/receipt – this document is both an invoice and receipt. Attesting to execution of the transaction as well as payment made. In this case, the date on which the transaction is made is irrelevant since in any case the relevant date for tax payment is the date on which payment is received. This document too must contain all the required details.
Receivable and payment log – this is a "bound log" in which one must record every payment and receivable relating to the business' expenses and revenue. The sums are recorded along with the number of invoice/receipt, date of issue and in case of a check – details of this check.
- Receivables and payments for property (permanent property) bought or sold must be written in a separate column.
- The sums in the receivables and payment log are written in chronological order, separating revenues from expenses.
Pension funds – are "provident funds for pension". One can deposit funds and receive tax benefits on them. The benefits are expressed in the fact taxpayers pay less income tax and therefore the income that remains free increases. Deposits into exclusively pension funds began in 2008.
Training fund – a fund in which one deposits money that provides tax benefits in the year in which they are deposited. The money accumulated in the fund are redeemed 3 to 6 years later and during redemption interest (to a certain ceiling) is exempt of tax.
Benefits for independent deposits in this type of fund is for self-employed persons only (unlike pension and provident funds). Hired employees whose employer deposits money on their behalf in a provident fund do not have to pay tax on their employer's deposits.
Different taxpayer statuses:
- Hired employee– a person who earns a salary.
- Exempt employee– a person whose total annual transactions do not exceed NIS 76,880 (in 2012). The exempt employee does not issue tax invoices nor is he liable for VAT payments. In this case, his "receipt" attests both to execution of the transaction and to payment received. The recipient of the receipt cannot deduct input VAT on it.
- Certified dealer– a person who opens a business or is a professional (provides services). The certified dealer issues tax invoices, must pay VAT on transactions and may deduct input VAT on his expenses. A certified dealer must report his taxable and exempt revenue once a month/two months (usually on the 15th of the month) and VAT on transactions collected from customers. He may report the VAT on input paid for expenses and property purchased to produce revenue. A person whose major work location is his home may report a relative part of his household expenses as expenses for production of revenue (e.g.: telephone, municipal taxes, electricity, gas, rent etc.).
- Limited company– a company is an entity registered with the Companies Registrar and has upheld all legal requirements to become a company. Registering a limited company is only worthwhile if monthly revenue is over NIS 40,000.
Ongoing reports to tax authorities
- VAT – every month/two months (until the 15thof the month) one must report to VAT regarding:
- Revenue volume in previous period (one/two months) – exempt and taxable
- VAT on transactions that bear VAT
- VAT on input and property to be deducted from VAT on transactions. The difference between VAT on transactions and VAT on input is paid or returned to the taxpayer.
Income tax: every one/two months (until the 15th of the month) one must report to income tax using the down payment book including:
- Taxable income
- Sum of down payment to be remitted on account of said income
- Sums deducted in advance from the reporting party
- Sum of down payment minus sums deducted in advance is remitted to the tax authorities.
Social security: every month (until the 15th of the month) one must remit a down payment to the Social Security Institution. The down payment sum is determined in advance according to expected revenue. It may be increased or decreased in the course of the year to adapt to expectations.
Annual report – at the end of every year, the taxpayer must report his taxable and exempt revenue during the year, deductions or credit due to him etc.
- Annual report will include both partners' revenue (joint report).
- The following must submit an annual tax report: dealers (exempt and certified), limited companies, associations etc.
Equity declaration – one every 3-4 years (usually), a dealer (exempt or certified) must declare his personal assets and obligations to the tax authorities using the Equity Declaration form.
Tax adjustment – if you are employed at several places, you must carry out tax adjustment in order to prevent your salary from being unduly deducted and to enable you to receive tax returns.
Form 106 – at the end of the year, the employer issues a form 106 for employees. The form is a concentration of all the pay slips received over the past year. This is an extremely important form that enables one to demand tax returns if one is eligible to them for different reasons.
Stages in opening a business:
- Open a VAT file
- Estimate the volume of transactions you expect over the coming year, the sums you are going to spend on purchasing different assets and instruments that will serve you to generate income, examine your customers' needs and determine whether to register as a certified dealer or exempt dealer (if possible).
- Find our where your regional VAT office is.
- Don’t forget to bring the following documents:
- Value Added Tax Registration Form filled in and signed by you
- Photocopy of your ID card
- Photocopy of a check
- Lease or purchase contract for your business
- In case of a joint account – approval from your partne
At the end of the process you will leave the VAT office with a temporary document confirming that the business has been opened. A short time later you will receive a Dealer Certificate by post. You must hand this certificate in a prominent place in your business.
- Opening an income tax file: you have to fill in a form with details of the taxpayer, business address etc.
Income tax should issue 2 certificates:
- Bookkeeping certificate– proper bookkeeping is the duty of every dealer. You must issue tax invoices on time, report it on time, manage specific logs required for your type of business (order book, cash book etc). Improper management can incur particularly heavy sanctions.
As long as not proven otherwise, the dealer is innocent and receives a "bookkeeping certificate" which means he manages his books properly. - Tax deduction confirmation – one of the means used by income tax to collect tax from taxpayers is by causing his customer to pay him part of the sum they owe him and pay the remainder directly to Income Tax authorities on his account. The tax deduction certificate notes the rate that must be deducted in advance from each payment and transferred to the tax authorities. Usually one can receive confirmation of "exemption from tax deduction".
- Opening a Social Security file: you have to fill in a form and submit it (not particularly complicated.
Social Security provides insurance coverage for various unexpected situations that may occur. You must open a Social Security file as quickly as
possible. Many types of coverage depend on the taxpayer's revenue or the rate of down payment remitted as a percentage of his revenue.
Should, Heavens forbid, an "insurance incident" occur before the file has been opened, the claim may be rejected even though revenue at this period
may be subject to insurance payment in any case.
Social Security determines the "down payments" the taxpayer has to pay as a percentage of his taxable income at any given period. Usually, it is not
wise to decrease there down payments.
Join shaham
Why should I join Shaham?
- Free legal counseling on all issues related to actors' work
- Your complaints handled, including lawsuits if necessary
- Free legal examination of any personal contract before you begin work
- Complete labor protection for Shaham members only through Shaham's system of agreements with all Israeli broadcast media ensuring minimum conditions and prices for actors
- All applications for inquiries regarding eligibility for commission from reruns handled
Additionally, only Shaham members are eligible for:
- Assistance with professional promotion and exposure
- Participation in seminars, enrichment and professional training courses
- Participation in the Culture For The Periphery project
- Participation in the ongoing struggle for the existence of creativity and culture in movies, TV and theater
- Updated personal page on Shaham's actors' index
- Discounts and benefits through Shaham's service and benefit club
- Ongoing updates by post and e-mail
Are you convinced? Fine, click here to go to the membership application form. Want further details? Better yet, send us your details and we will get back to you soon. [email protected]
Collective Agreement
In light of the increase in international TV productions in Israel, we publish Shaham's collective agreement with the Israeli Producer Association translated into English for free use
Also Published is a Certificate of rights that complies with Shaham's Collective Agreement with the Israeli Producer Association
Shaham's collective agreement (see the attached) with the Israeli Producer Association
Certificate of rights (see the attached) that complies with Shaham's Collective Agreement
