Nicola Sturgeon has demanded further action to combat the exploitation of workers at Edinburgh’s Festival Fringe following a slew of complaints over ‘volunteer’ positions.
The First Minister said those in charge of the world-renowned event must “challenge the notion that great art has to be at the expense of good terms and conditions” amid concerns over the mistreatment of workers.
Edinburgh Live previously reported how one venue operator had posted a job advert requiring personnel to work 13-hour shifts for no pay and stay in accommodation without bed linen, towels or an internet connection unless provided by themselves.
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Appearing on the ‘Cultural Coven’ podcast with actor Nicola Roy, Sturgeon said the festival and its backers still had “a way to go” before working practices were standardised in an ethical fashion.
"I don’t think we should ever tolerate the exploitation of workers and artists," she told the host.
"We just need to first and foremost challenge the notion that great art has to be at the expense of good terms and conditions, and good working practices.
“I hope as we come out of covid and start to see the Edinburgh festivals properly springing to life again we have the opportunity to address some of these things."
The First Minister added: "I know there have been moves made in recent years by the Fringe to address some of that, but I think there’s a way still to go.
“Anything that chucks all the pieces up in the air and changes your perspective on how it all falls down again has to be an opportunity to do things better and do things differently.
“We’ve got all of that in arts and culture, but in life and society more generally, to hopefully take advantage of as we turn the corner on the pandemic and get back to, not normal, but something better than the normal we had before."
The Unite union criticised a job ad posted by C Venues in February this year as “one of the most exploitative” they had ever seen after the London-based firm informed applicants interested in setting up their facilities this summer may be expected to work gruelling days for no remuneration.
The company was 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 but requested volunteers for their 2022 crew must provide their own bedding, including pillows and sleeping bags, towel and clothing in accommodation put on for the duration of the festival.
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A "full" version of the event is due to return this year after a significantly scaled back run in 2021 amid the covid pandemic.
The festival was not held at all in 2020 due to lockdown restrictions - the first time in its history it had completely failed to go ahead in person, with most events moving online.
According to written evidence submitted by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe society to the UK government last year, the event brings an economic impact of well over £200m annually to Scotland and the UK.
