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Fair Deal for Freelances


Pamela Morton, NUJ national freelance organiser, asks branches to get behind the campaign for a fairer deal for freelances


C


ovid-19 has laid bare the precarious position of a major section of the UK’s workforce, particularly


in the media where one third of our members are freelance. It’s been heart-breaking hearing


from so many whose work dried up during the pandemic, especially those who have fallen through the


Action •


Branches must... Appoint a freelance officer


Be able to provide advice on paid holiday and employment rights for freelance members


Signpost freelance members to training


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and resources on the websites of the NUJ and London Freelance Branch


Keep up with the #FD4F campaign: htps://www.nuj.org.uk/tags/ fair+deal+for+freelances/


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cracks of the government’s financial aid schemes. We have been working hard with the TUC and other unions seeking redress from the Treasury. But as the union’s national


freelance organiser I have long been aware of the second-class treatment the self-employed experience in terms of their pay, conditions and benefits in comparison to colleagues on staff. Many UK freelances and casuals are legally entitled to holiday pay, but an NUJ survey found that almost nine in 10 did not receive it. Te problem is the law that leaves the self-employed vulnerable to employers who place them on unsuitable working terms. Tey pay their taxes, but have no right to holidays, sick, parental or pregnancy leave. Te law needs to be radically


reformed to suit the needs of a growing part of the economy. Te industry couldn’t exist without them and freelancing suits many of our members, but they are still geting a raw deal.


Tat why we have launched the Freelance Charter (see back page) which sets out the rights and benefits the self-employed should enjoy. It calls for the right to organise in a trade union, to have a writen contract with fair terms and conditions, prompt payment and equal treatment at work in terms of health and safety. Freelances should get holiday pay, parental leave and allowances and a retirement pension. Tey should have the right to resist companies forcing them on to PAYE, to incorporate as a limited company, or work under umbrella companies. Te campaign has been highlighted


in Parliament with an Early Day Motion and Munira Wilson, Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham, was briefed before for her Westminster Hall debate on support for freelances excluded from government covid-19 support schemes. Te charter has been sent to ministers at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Branches must do what they


can to get employers, employer organisations, industry bodies, politicians and individual supporters to sign up to its aims.


CAMPAIGN


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