Features of labour relations in institutional theatres in Serbia

The main goal of the paper is to investigate the forms of labor relations in institutional, subsidized theatres in Serbia. Given the social and economic crises, and today significant changes in the lifestyles of citizens of the world caused by the Corona virus pandemic, theatre institutions had to adapt to new market demands. Reduced production, inability to play large ensemble performances, problems in paying copyright contracts are some of the features of the work of theatre organizations. Having these turbulent circumstances, the subject of the paper should determine the influence of social circumstances on the formation of working relations in institutional theatres in Serbia. The paper will look at labor relations in the context of transitional cultural policy and the impact of the environment on defining the most optimal form of employment that should meet the needs of the state, city, municipality, as founders and financiers of the theatre organization, the needs of artists who strive for permanent employment that will provide them with existential security while providing them with an opportunity for artistic growth. By re-examining and analyzing the existing models of labor relations, the basic hypothesis we want to prove in the paper is that permanent employment and achieving permanent employment is the best solution for hiring artists in institutional theatre. In order to fulfill the set goals and prove the hypothesis, the paper will use theoretical research in the field of human resources management (Rahimic, Torrington, Hall, Taylor), labor law, cultural policy (Djukic), cultural studies (Klajic, Ristic, Djordjevic) as well as the case studies of form of employment in national theatres in the region. The paper also presents an empirical research that dealt with the impact the different forms of employment have on artists. The research shows that the establishment of a permanent employment relationship is of greater benefit to artist.