As the coronavirus outbreak escalates in the U.K., union leaders and lawyers are calling for enhanced support for freelance film and TV workers, who are projected to fall at the sharpest edges of a…
outbreak escalates in the U.K., union leaders and lawyers are calling for enhanced support for freelance film and TV workers, who are projected to fall at the sharpest edges of a crisis that could decimate the independent production sector if prolonged.
“Under those circumstances, there is no safety net for freelancers or the type of benefits system where employees get sick days. For freelancers it’s a hand-to-mouth existence,” says Childs., which represents more than 40,000 staff, contract and freelance workers in the U.K.’s media and entertainment industries, released a survey this week calling for input from freelancers set to be affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. So far, it has received more than 1,000 responses.
Bectu is advising members to try and negotiate longer cancellation periods in their contracts. “But it’s like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted,” says Childs, highlighting that, for many, such strategies will only safeguard future work as opposed to current contracts. “Freelancers won’t always have the greatest commercial leverage around what the terms are, so it’s a bit trite to [tell them to] ensure a contract provides a sensible notice period or payments and protections if, by no fault of their own, they can’t work ,” she says.
“Organizations need to be aware that people who suffer financially from isolating themselves will be less likely to do so, and that increases risk of people coming into workplaces when they really shouldn’t.”
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