By Monidipa Fouzder 20 May 2019
Whistleblowing concerns spark interpreter contract change
The main provider of courtroom interpreting
to the Ministry of Justice says it is removing a section of its service
agreement with interpreters that some believe prevents them from
whistleblowing.
The Gazette
has learned that concerns about TheBigWord’s interpreting services agreement
have been raised with HM Courts & Tribunals Service.
Part of clause 13 in the agreement states:
‘You shall indemnify and keep indemnified us against any liability, loss,
damage, cost, claim or expense we suffer or incur as a result of any claims
against us for such sums and other claims arising out of you being found to be
an employee of or worker of ours.’
The Gazette
understands that interpreters had feared being unable to claim protection as
whistleblowers under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. In a statement,
TheBigWord said: ‘Linguists in our network are freelancers and have the option
to accept or decline any job. There is no obligation and no penalty for
accepting or declining any job. We reject any suggestion that linguists are
restricted in their ability to raise concerns.
‘As part of our ongoing partnership with the
MoJ and the linguist community, we regularly carry out linguist-focused
summits, and we review our service agreement to ensure it is fair. Based on the
feedback received, the highlighted section of clause 13.4 is scheduled to
be removed in the next review this summer.’
TheBigWord, headquartered in Leeds, took over
from Capita Translation and Interpreting in October 2016 to provide
face-to-face interpretation and translation (including telephone and video),
and translation and transcription.
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