Proposed UK workers’ rights bill promises better deal for TV freelancers says Bectu
TV and film union Bectu has welcomed the Labour government’s plans to revolutionise UK workers’ rights after new prime minister Keir Starmer committed to an employment rights bill at the state opening of parliament yesterday.
Keir Starmer (photo: Simon Dawson via CC)
Bectu said it hopes the measures will help improve the lives of the screen sector’s beleaguered freelance workforce, which it claims has “received a raw deal” in recent years.
A survey by the union in February revealed 70% of its members were currently out of work and 37% planned to leave the industry within the next five years.
A severe downturn in commissioning levels has left thousands unemployed, suffering from mental health issues and unable to afford basic living costs.
Those in work, meanwhile, have often complained of a TV industry culture of long working hours, low pay, bullying and harassment.
Starmer’s Labour Party secured a landmark general election victory over former PM Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives earlier this month.
During a debate in the House of Commons after the king’s speech yesterday, Starmer vowed to “start the work of rebuilding our country.”
Labour will kick off its reforms with 40 bills in the government’s new legislative programme, including a new employment rights bill.
Promised to take effect within 100 days, it will ban zero-hours contracts unless an employee requests one and most so-called ‘fire and rehire’ practices.
The bill will also grant workers’ rights such as maternity pay and sick pay from day one of their employment, improve flexible working and simplify the process of trade union recognition.
Labour claims the minimum wage will soon be a genuine living wage, through its changes to the low-pay commission.
Philippa Childs, head of Bectu, said: “Bectu has long campaigned for a new deal for the UK’s self-employed and freelance workforce, and we welcome the new government’s commitment to an employment rights bill in the king’s speech.
“We have written to the government about the need to improve rights and protections for the self-employed; and we will be keeping a keen eye on the draft legislation and how it impacts all workers in the creative industries.”
Meanwhile, the Skills England Bill will see the new government attempt to boost skills training, as well as bring together employers and unions.
Last year saw the formation of the Screen Sectors’ Skills Task Force (SSSTF) to address the urgent skills shortages in UK television production.
The task force was convened by the British Film Institute (BFI) in response to the BFI Skills Review, commissioned by the government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Georgia Brown, creative executive of the SSSTF, has warned of a harmful “disconnect between an increasingly strained workforce and the industry’s demand for skills” – a view shared by Bectu.
Childs said: “We’re pleased to see the new government’s focus on skills, with the Skills England Bill, and welcome its commitment to breaking down barriers to working in our world-class creative industries.
“The sector continues to be plagued by cyclical retention problems and skills shortages, and it’s critical that we now see a sustained, coordinated and collaborative approach from the government to prioritise not only skills development but also retention of skills.
“For too long, self-employed and ‘freelance’ workers have received a raw deal, despite their critical contribution to the economy and our cultural life. We look forward to working with the new government to ensure that their flexibility and skills are recognised and supported.”
