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Mar 11, 2020
Opinion & features

Translators working for Scots cops and courts ‘exploited for £5 an hour wages’

By: Andrea Capuselli

Interpreters working for the police and courts claim they are earning below the legal minimum wage.

Linguists say their pay can be as little as £5 an hour as agencies refuse to cover all travel time between jobs.

Hundreds of translators work every day in Scotland’s biggest public sector institutions, with the NHS a huge client.

Translators working for public service bodies
are being paid a derisory amount for specialised work

Comments about this article


Translators working for Scots cops and courts 'exploited for £5 an hour wages'
Catharine Cellier-Smart
Catharine Cellier-Smart  Identity Verified
Riunione
Local time: 18:17
Da Francese a Inglese
+ ...
Log in or registration needed Mar 12, 2020

You need to log in or register with belfasttelegraph.co.uk to get (free) access to this article.
 
neilmac
neilmac
Spagna
Local time: 16:17
Da Spagnolo a Inglese
+ ...
Sad situation Mar 16, 2020

The problem arises because bodies like this the Police service and Court System, faced with the need for translation services, do what most prospective clients do and apply to an agency. However, even considering the fact that the agencies as intermediaries will take their slice of the cake, the rates quoted, well below £10 per hour, show that it is a pretty poor cake with very slim pickings. I doubt that much can be done about it, as the police and court systems are notoriously underfunded to ... See more
The problem arises because bodies like this the Police service and Court System, faced with the need for translation services, do what most prospective clients do and apply to an agency. However, even considering the fact that the agencies as intermediaries will take their slice of the cake, the rates quoted, well below £10 per hour, show that it is a pretty poor cake with very slim pickings. I doubt that much can be done about it, as the police and court systems are notoriously underfunded to begin with. ▲ Collapse
 
DZiW (X)
DZiW (X)
Ucraina
Da Inglese a Russo
+ ...
It rings a bell Mar 16, 2020

Question #1: Why don't at least some police officers speak a foreign language?

Question #2: It’s not mentioned in the article, yet besides monetary remuneration, the police could have offered some benefits or advantages too. Even sincere philanthropists don’t mind their reduction in tax or a paid week off.

Question #3: Why do government bodies work with intermediaries and spongers who eat 60%+ of payment up? Just go direct.

Not a pro... See more
Question #1: Why don't at least some police officers speak a foreign language?

Question #2: It’s not mentioned in the article, yet besides monetary remuneration, the police could have offered some benefits or advantages too. Even sincere philanthropists don’t mind their reduction in tax or a paid week off.

Question #3: Why do government bodies work with intermediaries and spongers who eat 60%+ of payment up? Just go direct.

Not a problem (except for those who agreed to unfavorable terms) ▲ Collapse


Inga Petkelyte
 

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