Members of the National Symphony Orchestra (OSN) and the National Ballet held an extensive work meeting with the Minister of Culture (MiCultura), Carlos Aguilar Navarro and his work team and discussed issues related to the organizational structure of both cultural expressions and other related issues.

The meeting that was held for about four hours served to have MiCultura's directors headed by its incumbent, Aguilar Navarro put forward the proposal prepared by the Ministry of Culture, both for the Symphony and for the National Ballet and at the same time listen to the comments and proposals of both groups.

That approach had been an opportunity for musicians and dancers to demand more information about some points of the new proposed organisation chart and that was subject to final approval by the Ministry of Economics and Finance (MEF).

The pay issue, headquarters and employment status of some of the members were expressed by members from both the Symphony and the National Ballet.

In response to the concerns of both groups, Minister Aguilar responded to each of them and referred to efforts that have been made since the creation of MiCultura to improve wage and labour conditions.

He also emphasized that it was important to approve an organizational chart that detailed the hierarchies and their positions with their respective defined wages so as to be an obligatory manual for future administrations.

He also noted, however, that the Covid 19 pandemic affected the programs of the Ministry, not only for the Symphony and National Ballet but for other cultural areas.

The minister closed his meeting by announcing that if there's no other type of closure by the pandemic, it's likely that the City of The Arts will be complete by next March and there will be the permanent headquarters, both of the OSN and of the Ballet.

A next meeting was held at the table to evaluate the proposals that could be considered in the new scheme by organisations from both cultural groups.

• 

• 

•