The account of a freelancer working in TV production in “Brutal hours, tyrants and chest pains: a freelance producer on the reality of British TV” lays bare the harsh reality for many freelancers in the industry: unpaid overtime, disregard for personal time, and the constant threat of unemployment. But how can these often isolated and vulnerable freelancers break this cycle of exploitation?
Here are some strategies, with a focus on leveraging the current political climate:
Capitalising on the Employment Rights Bill
The spirit of the law: Even if the new Employment Rights Bill doesn’t explicitly cover independent freelancers, its ethos – emphasising fair treatment, predictable hours, and a crackdown on exploitative practices – can be used to strengthen freelancers’ arguments. Anyone on a zero-hours contract should have more rights as per the new bill.
Public pressure: The bill signals a shift in public and political discourse around workers’ rights. Freelancers can leverage this by highlighting the discrepancies between the bill’s intentions and the reality of their working conditions, putting pressure on production companies to align with the changing expectations.
Power in numbers
Industry-specific networks: Freelancers within niches like reality TV or documentaries can form their own collectives to share information about exploitative companies, establish common standards, and even withhold labour collectively.
On-set solidarity: A group of freelancers working on the same programme can present a list of reasonable parameters to the production company. This could include standardised contracts and payment for hours worked. Acting in unison could avoid individual repercussions.
Setting boundaries and demanding respect
Clear contracts: Freelancers must insist on detailed contracts that explicitly outline working hours, overtime rates, and payment schedules.
Enforcing boundaries: Saying “no” to unreasonable demands, refusing to answer emails after hours, and prioritising well-being are essential. This requires solidarity within the freelance community to resist the pressure to be “always on.”
Transparency and communication: Openly discussing working conditions and pay with other freelancers exposes exploitative practices and empowers individuals.
Leveraging technology and networks
Platforms with features like escrow payments and dispute resolution mechanisms offer a degree of security. However, many people in the TV industry are hired independently or through production agencies.
Building alternative networks: Creating online freelancer communities and social media groups can bypass exploitative intermediaries.
Shifting the industry mindset
Challenging the “Passion Economy” narrative: The idea that freelancers should be grateful for any work, regardless of the conditions, needs to be dismantled. Freelancing is skilled labour and deserves fair compensation and respect.
Government regulation and support
Freelance-specific legislation: Governments can introduce legislation to protect freelancers, such as ensuring prompt payment and establishing minimum wage standards. Asking for support from the media (i.e. The Guardian), freelancer advocates and organisations such as IPSE are a good place to start.
Breaking the cycle of exploitation in the freelance TV and broadcasting industry demands a multi-pronged approach. By capitalising on the momentum of the Employment Rights Bill, organising in unison, demanding fair treatment, and supporting each other, freelancers can create a more sustainable and equitable future.
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