To the American Translators Association (ATA), ProZ.com, and translation agencies

 

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Founder’s Statement: Why I Created This Petition

As a translator with over two decades in the industry, I’ve watched the profession I love become increasingly devalued — not by lack of skill or passion, but by exploitative rates, unpaid tests, machine-generated content masquerading as “localization,” and a disturbing erosion of ethics across the board.

I launched this petition because it’s time for the industry to stop pretending this is normal. Our labor is being commodified while agencies inflate profits, clients demand 24/7 availability, and professional standards are quietly eroded in the name of “efficiency.” Too many brilliant linguists are being pushed out, replaced by automation, or forced to compete for pennies.

We’re not asking for favors. We’re demanding fair rates, respect for human linguistic work, and accountability from those who profit off our labor while offering little in return. If you believe translation is more than post-edited machine drivel, and that real expertise deserves dignity, I invite you to sign and share this petition. Change doesn’t start with institutions — it starts with us

We, the undersigned, urge the American Translators Association, ProZ.com, and translation agencies to implement and enforce fair-market rates for professional translators—no less than $0.07–$0.13 per word (or equivalent hourly rate). There was a time when we could get rush rates, and rates closer to 0.18-0.22! Why is our valuable work worth less now?  AI lacks the brain, knowledge, sense of nuance, and cultural understanding of a human being and a professional linguist. 

Recent trends show agencies offering rates as low as $0.002–$0.004 per word, claiming that “AI can do most of the work” or substituting professionals with underqualified individuals. This strategy devalues the critical skills of seasoned translators—skills built over years of education, research, editing, and cultural nuance. And it is also completely derogatory. It is a pure insult to professionals! 

 

We demand:

 1. Ban on unpaid test translations—valuing time is key.

 2. Minimum acceptable rates on agency and ProZ job posts—no undercutting.

 3. Requirement for agencies to deposit client funds into escrow before work begins—to ensure trustworthy compensation.

 4. Teeth behind ATA membership—ground rules that protect translators, not just high fees and certificates.

With AI rising, we can’t allow this undermining trend to destroy the profession. Lowball pricing and lack of oversight threaten the future of translators worldwide.

We need immediate action to preserve professionalism, fair wages, and respect for our craft. Please show us—your members, your community—that ATA and ProZ stand by translators (as they claim to do), not short-term agency profits.

 

 

 

 

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Petition Title (Suggested):

Translators Deserve Fair Pay, Respect, and Protection—Not Exploitation

 

Petition Body (Refined with Anecdote):

When I first entered the translation industry over two decades ago, the work was respected, the rates reflected the skill involved, and professional pride ran deep. I once translated a 50-page legal document overnight for an emergency court case—and the client didn’t question the price. They valued the precision and experience I brought. But today, seasoned professionals like myself are routinely offered $0.02 per word—less than what we earned 20 years ago—and expected to complete unpaid “tests” just to be considered.

 

The industry is changing fast, and not for the better.

 

This petition is a call to ProZ.com and the American Translators Association (ATA) to take real, measurable action to protect translators from unethical practices that are rapidly degrading our profession. These include:

   •   Agencies requesting unpaid tests and using them to complete actual projects without compensating the translator.

   •   Job postings with derogatory rates of $0.02–0.04 per word—rates that are unsustainable for any professional.

   •   No enforcement of minimum rate standards on ProZ, despite the platform claiming to serve translators.

   •   Clients who refuse payment by falsely claiming the work was done by AI or is full of errors—without substantiating those claims.

   •   A lack of escrow systems that would protect freelancers from being ghosted or defrauded after delivering completed work.

 

We call on ProZ.com to:

   •   Enforce minimum acceptable rate thresholds for job postings.

   •   Require escrow or verified client funds for large projects.

   •   Set clear guidelines against exploitative unpaid tests.

 

We call on the ATA to:

   •   Advocate publicly and loudly for fair translator pay.

   •   Implement a code of ethics for member agencies.

   •   Tie membership and certification to adherence to fair pay and professional standards.

 

Agencies have slashed rates under the pretense of AI efficiencies—yet still pocket the bulk of client budgets. Platforms that once promised to connect translators with legitimate opportunities are now flooded with bottom-barrel offers and unethical operators.

 

We urge ProZ and ATA to protect the very professionals they claim to serve.

 

Let’s restore dignity, professionalism, and livable rates to this vital industry—before it’s gutted completely