Bectu and Pact make joint approach to the Treasury on JRS

Bectu and Pact have made a joint approach to the Treasury seeking clarity on how updates to the Job Retention Scheme (JRS) should be interpreted.

The two organisations representing workers and independent production film and TV production companies decided to contact the Treasury on a call on Friday 17 April.

The move comes after Pact issued guidance to its members which has led to furlough offers being rescinded.

Guidance for the coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (JRS) was updated for the fourth time on 15 April to allow people who were on a payroll on 19 March rather than 28 February to be furloughed.

This update is in addition to previous changes which Bectu believes allows freelancers  to be re-hired, their contract extended and furloughed.

But some employers are concerned that money from the government won’t be paid out if they have interpreted the scheme incorrectly.

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“We hope that this joint approach will result in some much needed clarity for people working in film and TV, who are desperate for financial help during the pandemic.

“Our view is that the scheme was designed to ensure that the economy is protected for the future and that the Job Retention Sceme should be interpreted  as broadly  as possible because so many in the industry have found themselves in serious financial difficulty.

“With reports suggesting that up to 50% of freelancers may leave the industry following the COVID-19 pandemic the whole industry must come together to ensure that the  workforce are protected during  this crisis and are ready  to return to work without suffering unnecessary financial hardship.”