A major Edinburgh Fringe venue operator previously hailed as the ‘worst employer at the festival’ has been branded “exploitative” after posting a job advert offering volunteers 13-hour shifts for no pay.
C Venues was stripped of its tenancy of Adam House by the University of Edinburgh in 2019 following a row over the company paying staff a wage of just £200 for six weeks employment.
However, an advert for their 2022 crew informs applicants interested in setting up their facilities this summer may be expected to work gruelling days for no remuneration.
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The London-based firm lays on free digs but also states prospective workers must provide their own bedding, including pillows and sleeping bags, towel and clothing in accommodation put on for the duration of the festival.
The Unite union described the listing as “one of the most exploitative job adverts” they have ever seen.
C Venues has operated at the Fringe since 1992, hosting music, theatre and comedy performances at the internationally-renowned festival in locations across the capital.
According to the advert, volunteer periods can start as early as mid-July and run to early September, with “one day off per full week volunteered”.
It adds: “During the fit-up and get-out periods, some full-time shifts can be up to 12 hours, and on the few occasions we have overnight technical rehearsals, some shifts for a few roles may be up to 13 hours.
“We schedule reasonable breaks within shifts (typically one full hour or two half hour breaks within shifts of up to 10 hours, and more break time within longer shifts).”
C Venues were previously criticised by Fair Fringe activists - who campaigned for workers at the festival to be paid the living wage - as being “built on exploitation, underpayment and overworked staff.”
Unite hospitality organiser Bryan Simpson said: "This is one of the most exploitative job adverts we have ever seen, even for a Fringe which is not known for its exemplary working practices.
“Thirteen-hour shifts with three days off in six weeks would be unacceptable even if the workers were being paid.”
He added: "C Venues have clearly not learned anything from the awful reputation they gained in 2018 following their acknowledgement by the Fair Fringe campaign as one of the worst employers at the Festival.
"Our message to C Venues owners is simple: offer decent hours with adequate accommodation, facilities and subsistence or we will make you the focus of our campaigning efforts at this year's Fringe"
Volunteers are also expected to share bedrooms in accommodation - provided in ‘traditional Victorian Edinburgh flats’ - with “two or three people per bedroom” in larger properties.
Flats are noted to ‘not generally have a working wifi connection,’ according to the firm, but basic foodstuffs including bread, baked beans and cereal 'would be provided'.
C Venues said items for their 'short-term lets' can be provided to workers if necessary, adding it listened to all “feedback” provided by volunteers.
They added: “C Venues believes that participation in artistic and creative activity is beneficial for volunteers and society.
“Our volunteer programme has been developed working with Volunteer Edinburgh, and we support and follow guidance on volunteering from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society and Volunteer Scotland.
“Our full-time festival volunteers typically volunteer for 8-10 hours a day, and are allocated one day off for each week.
“As a member of the Association of Independent Venue Producers we work to promote and improve best practice on the Fringe.
“At all times, we seek to create an environment where creativity can flourish, where people can learn and develop skills and mutual understanding, where diversity is celebrated, and where participation is accessible and inclusive for all.”
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A spokesperson for the Edinburgh Fringe Society said: "We are a Living Wage Employer in our own right and aim to lead by example.
"We have clearly outlined the Society's commitment to fair employment and volunteer best practice, and developed robust guides in consultation with BECTU, Volunteer Edinburgh and EQUITY to promote a fair, positive and safe working environment for all.
"We strongly encourage venues to adhere to this code. Venues that have signed up to our best practice guides will be indicated on our website and in the programme, to allow artists and workers to make an informed choice about which venues to work with. "
They added: "We take issues like this incredibly seriously and have a reporting system for workers to raise any issues with the Society.
"We welcome proactive and ongoing support in this area, and as we continue our research into creating a better Fringe for all, these discussions will have an important part to play."
