Court interpreters and translators have staged a protest outside Chelmsford Crown Court, citing dissatisfaction with freelance working conditions under contractor thebigword (TBW).
The interpreters, who provide essential language services to witnesses and defendants in court, claim that the introduction of a booking app by TBW has caused significant issues with invoicing, payments, and job cancellations.
One interpreter, Sophie, revealed that many of her colleagues are living “pretty much on the poverty line.”
Since the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) outsourced translation services in 2012, interpreters have faced increasing challenges, including last-minute cancellations, inadequate travel compensation, and in some cases, only receiving one hour’s pay for a full-day booking.
The action comes at a critical time, as the UK grapples with a court backlog of over 60,000 cases.
TBW, which was awarded a £15 million contract to provide interpreting and translation services to UK courts in 2016, also serves other government departments, the NHS, and emergency services.
While interpreters handle spoken language live in court, translators focus on written materials.
Both roles are crucial for ensuring that court procedures are accessible to non-English speakers.
The protesters, who work on a freelance basis, have complained about the TBW booking system.
Cristina, an interpreter since 2018, explained that jobs often disappear from the app when it comes time to invoice, leaving interpreters unpaid for their services.
She also reported that interpreters are often told there are no available jobs, even when they are waiting for work.
The legal firm Leigh Day has taken up the case on behalf of the interpreters, seeking to secure employment rights for them, such as holiday pay and the minimum wage.
Gabriel Morrison, a senior associate solicitor with Leigh Day, argued that the interpreters should be classified as workers rather than independent contractors due to their close integration into TBW’s operations.
TBW responded to the protest by affirming its commitment to its freelance workforce, stating that it maintains “a great partnership” with interpreters and offers considerable benefits.
However, the interpreters’ protest underscores ongoing concerns about fair pay and working conditions for those providing essential services to the UK court system.
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