Pay: TV workers exploited, new research shows

New research by the TV Industry Human Rights (TVIHR) Forum has shown that “illegal or barely legal” working practices are rife in the world of post-production. TVIHR was established in 2017 by BAFTA members who recognised a need for action to address human rights issues in the TV industry.

Post-production is an essential part of making all TV shows, and includes data storage, editing, picture grading, visual effects (VFX), sound, quality control and mastering. Many workers in these roles are regularly being paid below the minimum wage and experiencing “unacceptable” conditions, such as hours spent in dark, unventilated rooms and exposure to traumatic content with no warning.

Amelia Knott, author of the report and human rights expert, said the current slowdown in commissioning was "exacerbating these issues as greater job insecurity led to more workers feeling less able to speak up and challenge this state of affairs. In many cases, workers are expected to do more for less money."

The research highlights a lack of contracts, below minimum wage work, inappropriate payment terms, non-compliance with health and safety regulations and a failure to make reasonable adjustments. The lack of transparency over employment relationships can also be confusing for workers about where duty of care obligations lie.

The time needed to complete work is frequently underestimated when budgeting for a show, with one worker saying: “Everyone is working 15-plus hours a day. That’s two people’s jobs.”