AIR

Interns entitled to payment

25 November 2009 An Employment Tribunal in Reading ruled in November that workers engaged on an expenses-only basis are entitled to payment at least in line with the national minimum wage, in addition to payment for the holiday they accrue. The decision arises from a case brought by Nicola Vetta, a former art department assistant, against London Dreams Motion Pictures Ltd. BECTU supported the case and welcomed the judgement as an important milestone in efforts to rid the industry of exploitative employers who deny newcomers their lawful right to be paid for the work they do. London Dreams Motion Pictures Ltd was ordered to pay Ms Vetta a sum in excess of £2000. The decision emphasises that creative industry employers are not excluded from obligations under the national minimum wage regulations. This ruling is likely to impact on the visual arts world, where internships and volunteering have become the norm, not only for new graduates but more generally for arts professionals and artists seeking to develop their careers. A survey of visual arts organisations published by the Arts Council in 2006 revealed that: "for every three employees in the [visual arts] sector, two unpaid...

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