UK festival workers face “abuse” and “unsafe” conditions, according to new report

A new report has exposed the dangerous, gruelling working conditions experienced by UK festival staff.

In a study of 100 UK festival workers from media and entertainment trade union Bectu, 70% of respondents said they are often forced to “extremely long hours”, with some even reporting 18-20 hour days.

The same number reported “unhygienic” conditions, highlighting issues such as lack of access to washing facilities, unemptied, overflowing toilets and waste flooding their work site.

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With roles in lighting, sound, construction and stage management, almost half of staff surveyed said that “their mental health was impacted as a result of health, safety and welfare issues,” while a third said they regularly felt “unsafe” at work

The report also includes testimonials from workers that disclose experiences of verbal abuse from managers, lack of access to water and low pay, with one festival crew member claiming to have been paid “less than minimum wage.”

One worker said that they had collapsed due to heat stroke while rigging in 42-degree heat, while another claimed that typical conditions at festivals were “brutal” with the norm being “extremely long hours, no breaks, loud music, stressful work, sleep deficit and no accommodation.”

Alice Black, production manager and member of Bectu’s Live Events Network said that despite workers being essential to the festival industry they are “often treated like second class citizens.”

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Meanwhile, Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said: “Our members are highly skilled professionals without whom the live events industry would not survive.”

“Many of the stories we heard are unfortunately commonplace and almost normalised – but no one should have to put up with these conditions,” she adds, highlighting the power of joining a trade union, like Bectu. “The more members we have, the stronger our influence and the more we can lobby for change.”

You can read Bectu’s full report here.

Henrietta Taylor is Mixmag’s Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter