Ronald Gijsbertsen is a Dutch trade union leader and cultural policy expert with a long-standing career in campaigning, advocacy and research into labour rights and human rights for both national and international trade unions. He works for the Kunstenbond, the largest trade union representing creative professionals in the Netherlands.

At the Kunstenbond, Ronald’s work spans safe working conditions, fair pay, and fair remuneration for copyright. He is a strong advocate for sustainable earning models for artists, performers, and creators, both employed and self-employed. Under his involvement, the Kunstenbond actively pursues legal action against major record labels to enforce fair compensation and to protect creators’ rights in the digital and platform-driven economy. In addition to his union work, Ronald has held and continues to hold various board and governance positions within cultural, labour, and rights-based organisations, contributing his expertise on governance, workers’ representation, and countervailing power. He is guided by the core principal that artistic freedom and freedom of expression are essential pillars of a healthy, well-functioning society.