Pay snub isn’t fair on skint workers
Minister refuses meeting
Scotland’s Minister for Fair Work is facing furious criticism after refusing to meet interpreters who claim they are exploited by police, courts and the NHS.
Hundreds of translators – many of whom are immigrants – say they earn below the legal minimum wage because public sector bodies don’t compensate for travel time and expense.
Union representatives demanded a meeting with Fair Work minister Richard Lochhead to discuss the issue three months ago.
But they have been left furious after he finally wrote back last week to say his diary was too full.
Mark McHugh, Scottish organiser of the BFAWU union, said: “This response from the so- cal led Minister for Fair Work Richard Lochhead is an insult.
“It has taken him almost three months to tell low-paid, exploited workers that he has no time in his diary to meet them.
“It seems all the talk of the SNP/ Green government’s commitment to fairness in the workplace is a cynical charade.”
Many translators work through agencies, while others are selfemployed freelancers.
One interpreter, who didn’t want to be named, said: “We are providing interpreting services for the courts, councils, NHS and other public services.
“We are helping some of the most vulnerable people in our society and we are being ripped off by the agencies who employ us.
“These are agencies paid for by public money yet the Scottish Government don’t seem to care that they are prof iteering through exploitation. It is shameful”
Another added: “I frequently earn below the minimum wage.
“The main problem is we’re expected to travel on our own time.
“I can end up working f ive or six hours for free getting between jobs, with just three hours’ translation time paid.
“It means the hourly rate of £ 18.75 is meaningless and my overall pay can be £ 5 or £ 6 an hour.
“It is hard work that we do, you can be in a cell with a dangerous criminal for hours on end, working with victims of crime, or helping people understand serious illnesses. We deserve decent pay.”
Lochhead’s letter, dated July 28, said: “Regarding the meeting request to discuss working conditions for interpreters delivering services to public sector organisations, unfortunately I am unable to accept your kind invitation due to existing diary commitments.
“Your request has been passed to procurement colleagues to take forward as they are best placed to discuss your concerns.”
Police and courts frequently use interpreters to translate for victims, witnesses and people accused of crimes who don’t speak english.
Many cases would col lapse without their input and they also provide vital support in the NHS to patients who would be left unable to understand their doctor.