EU interpreters’ anger over work from home rules translates into strike
European Union interpreters have gone on strike over work from home rules because poor audio quality and technical difficulties have made remotely translating MEPs speaking at hearings impossible.
The interpreters are angry that the European Parliament has adopted new rules on “hybrid conferences” after the Covid pandemic, the Politico Europe website reported.
They had warned that they would go on strike unless there was a review of rules allowing speakers to address hearings online.
There was further fury when the parliament outsourced interpretation to an external provider on Monday – the day the strike had been meant to start.
The International Association of Conference Interpreters told the parliament to “stop outsourcing” and demanded better working conditions for remote interpreters.
The EU institutions have 800 interpreters on permanent contracts and 3,200 freelancers who provide live translation of events. The European Commission provides interpretation for up to 50 meetings a day.
There are 24 official languages in the EU, and interpretation is routinely provided in at least some of them for committee hearings and press conferences, with all 24 covered at flagship events.
The pandemic made interpreters’ work extremely difficult. Rather than being able to view speakers in person, they were forced to use an app because many meetings were held virtually. The number of meetings – and, as a result, work for freelance interpreters – was dramatically cut.
It is not the first time interpreters have gone on strike. In 2018, they downed tools when the European Parliament moved to increase the maximum time spent in interpretation booths from six hours to eight.
Interpretation is vital in Brussels, but the job is demanding and stressful. In March, an interpreter broke down in tears while translating an emotional speech by Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, to the European Parliament.
