My journey as a freelance worker in the film industry, along with the experiences of my peers in film and other industries have fueled this plea for change. We labor tirelessly, contributing our skills and talents to a diverse set of projects, yet are often left waiting many months for remuneration, or worse, remain unpaid. It's high time we addressed the systemic injustice faced by freelancers around the globe, the non-payment and payment delays that mar our profession. 

According to the Freelancer's Union, over half of freelancers were not paid at least once in the past year, with some waiting as long as six months, disrupting our financial stability and casting a shadow over our creative freedom. This issue is not restricted to a handful of industries or regions but is instead a global problem that affects millions of freelancers, from graphic designers in Europe to software developers in Asia. In the Film Industry: Almost half of global film freelancers are paid 3 to 6 months too late: In the UK, 50% of film freelancers face payment delays, in the US, 39% and 43% Across Europe, with some waiting up to 6 months (Sources: BECTU; Film Freelancers; Cineuropa). Also almost half of global film freelancers will never see the money they’ve earned. In the UK, 40% of film freelancers are owed money for completed work, 58% of US freelancers face similar non-payment issues and in Europe, around 45% of film freelancers report being unpaid for their work (Sources: BECTU; The Freelancer Union; Cineuropa).

Our appeal is simple: protect the rights of freelancers to secure timely and full compensation for their work, encouraging all stakeholders to implement effective payment regulations. This basic essence of fairness and respect will not only uplift countless individuals individually but will bolster the global economy. For this very reason, we urge everyone to sign this petition. Together, we can foster a freelancing environment that truly values and rewards our work.