‘Behind-the-scenes’ creatives will soon find more money staying in their pockets thanks to a government crackdown on rogue agencies which charge upfront fees.
Primarily aimed at agencies in the entertainment industry, the new rules will prohibit talent agencies from imposing a charge on candidates before finding them work.
Typically, an agency would tell models, extras, walk-ons and background artists that they must hand over cash to cover ‘registration fees’ or the cost of a portfolio.
In the worst cases, agencies impose hefty sums for castings or work that never materialises, and often refer the duped worker onto another ‘pay to use’ agency.
Pat McFadden, the business minister, said the government was responding to what he called the “less appealing face” of the modelling and entertainment industry.
“Unfortunately there are some rogue agencies that prey on models and entertainers who have stars in their eyes,” he said
“Last year we introduced a cooling off period for up front fees, but we are still receiving some reports that people are being exploited. So now we are going even further by banning them outright.”
Draft regulations, to be enforced by the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, will be laid in parliament in the next few months and will come into force next year.
Agencies that break the law could face prosecution and, in the most serious cases, courts could impose unlimited fines or shut down the business for up to 10 years.
Martin Kenny, of Equity, the entertainers and artists trade union, said: “We fully support these changes and hope that they will further strengthen the rights of workers across all industry offering greater protection against the acts of unscrupulous agents.”
And Spencer MacDonald, of BECTU, the broadcasting and theatre union, applauded the government for taking what he said was a “bold” decision.
He added: “This could now spell the end of the worst abusive practices that have plagued agency workers in the entertainment sector.”
Editor's Note - Update from Bectu
Nov 13, 2009
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