The Government has
today announced new action to crackdown on the ugly face of the
modelling and entertainment industry.
To prevent rogue entertainment and modelling agencies from
exploiting people the Government will introduce new rules banning
agencies from taking upfront fees from models, background artists,
extras and walk-ons.
There is a concern that some agencies are charging exorbitant
amounts without any likelihood of securing people castings or work.
Business Minister Pat McFadden said:
“Unfortunately there are some rogue agencies that prey on models
and entertainers who have stars in their eyes. 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.
“This will tackle the unscrupulous agents that represent the less
appealing face of the modelling and entertainment industry”.
Draft regulations will be laid in Parliament in November and will
come into force during 2010.
Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS) will enforce the
new regulations. Agencies that break the law could face
prosecution and courts can impose unlimited fines for the most
serious offences. Rogue agencies could also be banned from
operating for up to ten years.
Martin Kenny, from Equity welcomed the announcement:
“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. Equity
has worked closely with BIS throughout this consultation process
and will continue to do so. We look forward to the implementation
of the regulations in 2010 and we are confident that they will
provide a better framework to bring successful prosecutions”.
Spencer MacDonald,BECTU (Broadcasting Entertainment
Cinematograph and Theatre Union) said:
“BECTU has always condemned and opposed upfront fees taken by
agents for background artistes. For that reason BECTU welcomes
this bold move to ban fees being taken from extras and walk-ons.
This could now spell the end of the worst abusive practices that
have plagued agency workers in the entertainment sector”.
Notes to Editors
These new Regulations will come into force in October 2010. The
Government response to the consultation on proposed amendments to
the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses
Regulations 2003 can be found here: www.bis.gov.uk
The Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate is responsible for
enforcing the Conduct of Employment Agency and Employment Business
Regulations, carrying out inspections and responding to
complaints. More information is available at
http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/employment-agencies/index.html
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Matthew Barker
Phone: 020 7215 5946
Matthew.Barker@bis.gsi.gov.uk