EU interpreters strike as MEPS are still working from home

EUROPEAN UNION interpreters have gone on strike over work from home rules, saying the technical difficulties involved in remote translation are making their job impossible.

The interpreters are angry that the European Parliament has adopted new rules on “hybrid conferences” after the pandemic, Politico Europe reported.

Last week, they said they would go on strike unless there was a review on the rules, which allow speakers to hold hearings online.

There was more fury when the parliament outsourced interpretation to an external provider on Monday, the day the strike was meant to start.

The International Association of Conference Interpreters told the organisation “to stop outsourcing” and demanded better working conditions for remote interpreters.

The EU institutions have 800 interpreters on permanent contracts and 3,200 freelance interpreters, who provide live translation of events. The European Commission provides interpretation for up to 50 meetings a day.

There are 24 official languages in the EU and interpretation is routinely provided in at least some of them in committee hearings and press conferences, with all 24 covered at large events.

Covid made interpreters’ work extremely difficult – rather than being able to view speakers in person they were forced to use an app.

The number of meetings and work for freelance interpreters was dramatically cut back.

It is not the first time interpreters have gone on strike. In 2018, they downed tools after moves by the European Parliament to increase the maximum time spent in interpretation booths from six to eight hours.