The Jordanian Artists Syndicate has removed the membership of 21 artists, including Saba Mubarak, Jamil Brahmeh and Wassam Al-Baraihi, for accumulating their financial contributions years ago.
The head of the Jordanian Artists Syndicate, Hani Al-Jarrah, denied that the decision to remove a number of prominent names had a political or selective background, stressing that it was a purely legal measure based on Article (8) of the Syndicate's law, which stipulates that membership expires upon failure to pay fees for a full year.
Al-Jarrah explained that some artists have accumulated subscriptions that have reached eight years, despite repeated official warnings demanding that they correct their financial situation.
The Syndicate stressed that membership can be restored immediately once the late dues, which amounted to about 8,000 Jordanian dinars for some members, while the delisted artists turn into "outside the Syndicate", which obliges them to obtain temporary work permits and pay 5% of their wages instead of the 2% allocated to members.
Saba Mubarak refuses to comment. Brahma threatens to sue
On the other hand, reactions escalated within the artistic community, as Jamil Barahmeh described the decision as a "settling of accounts", announcing his intention to resort to the judiciary, while Wissam Al-Breihi considered the measure "arbitrary", pointing out that he was unable to manage the amount within the granted period due to the lack of operational opportunities, and expressed his surprise at the refusal to pay his pension dues, while Saba Mubarak preferred to remain silent without comment.
This step represents the second batch of a broad organizational campaign within the Syndicate, after the cancellation of the membership of 35 artists last March , amid expectations that the list will expand to include about 100 members who are in arrears, which opens the door to a major debate about the management of the Syndicate, the economic situation of artists, and the future of union work in Jordan.
The street is divided between "the dignity of art" and the "rule of law"
The Jordanian street and social media platforms witnessed an unprecedented wave of interaction following the Syndicate's decision , as the decision turned into a national debate between those who see it as a violation of the stature of Jordanian art, and those who consider it a strict application of the internal regulations that do not exclude anyone.
In the first direction, angry voices were raised accusing the Syndicate of "defamation" instead of containment, stressing that the stars of the first class who brought Jordanian drama to the Arab scene are not punished due to financial slump in light of the stagnation of production, and hashtags such as #صبا_مبارك and #Jordanian Artists Syndicate topped the platforms amid calls to reconsider the decision and grant artists facilities that preserve their status.
Another trend emerged that defends the Syndicate, stressing that the law is above all, and that the Syndicate's and pension funds depend on these contributions to continue their services, and that artists working in huge Arab productions have no justification for failing to pay a small annual fee.
The artistic community chose to calm down, calling for an initiative to schedule debts and stop the media controversy that harms the image of Jordanian art abroad, amid fears that the issue will turn into a rift within the artistic body if it is not addressed quickly.
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