Law professor cautions record labels against exploitation of young artistes

Kasim Waziri, a professor of international economic and intellectual property law at the University of Abuja, has cautioned record labels against the exploitation of young musical artistes.

In a statement on Friday, K.M. Waziri condemned what he termed the servitude, unequal bargaining power, anti-labour law activities that characterise the contracts record labels use to manipulate young artistes seeking exposure.

Waziri said while some record labels feed fat on the royalty and financial returns that emanate from the works of creatives, the artistes get small portion or absolutely nothing from their sweat as rewards, an action which he said contravenes the dictates of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and local labour laws.

The professor said provisions of labour legislation by the ILO totally frowns upon forced or compulsory labour which is an ancient practice akin to slavery and has no place in the modern world.

Waziri said all international instruments on forced or compulsory labour condemn the deceptive recruitment by record labels and the exploitative actions of the latter.

“Disappointingly, record labels are the new slave masters in town. One would have thought that with the exit of the colonialists and imperialists, the era of slavery in Nigeria and parts of Africa has ended but it is not so, evidently,” K.M. Waziri said.

“Today, record labels with local and international managements fraudulently make young artistes sign contracts without giving them the opportunity to know the details of the contract. The young artistes are not fully aware of the contract terms due to a lack of information. This is condemnable and exploiters should desist from preying on the vulnerabilities of these young talents thus preventing them from making informed decisions before committing themselves to contract.

“The indicators of deceptive recruitment include economic reasons that render a young artiste vulnerable at the point of recruitment include being from poor ground and lack of funding to produce records. Poor exposure and little or no educational background of up-and-coming artistes also contribute to the exploitation by record labels. Excessive deductions of wages for food or lodgings, or monetary penalties for fraudulent reasons also constitute indicators of deceptive recruitment, according to the ILO.

“These practices are fraudulent, grossly exploitative and prosecutable and should be stopped by record labels. Young artistes already in bogged in messy contracts can also seek redress in court.”