Sunday 13 October 2019

Issues in outsourcing valuable professionalism



Issues in outsourcing valuable professionalism
[…] This current situation for most professional interpreters specialising in working for public service organisations is completely unsatisfactory and is proving untenable. Those public service interpreters who are registered and regulated are highly qualified, skilled and experienced professionals. They play a vital role in ensuring our public services run smoothly and effectively, which is of benefit to the taxpayer. Yet, in many cases, they are being asked to work for fees effectively lower than the minimum wage.
Unable to make ends meet, these highly qualified practitioners are being forced to seek work outside of the public sector or leave it altogether. Linked with the need by agencies to supply interpreters to fulfil their contracts, this has resulted in a skills-vacuum that is being filled by those who are unqualified, inexperienced and ill-equipped to interpret complex government, legal and medical information in often emotionally wrought situations.
This race to the bottom has to stop. Quality has to be protected for the sake of the public and the public purse.

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