Tag: equality
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The Night I Confronted Diane Abbott About Silencing Syrians’ Voices
By: Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion On 15 September 2017, I attended the Diversity in Media Awards at the Waldorf Hilton. My teacher at the London College of Communication, Vivienne Francis, had been nominated for an award, and I was there to celebrate her incredible achievement. Among the attendees were many…
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Equitable Distribution of Risks, Responsibilities and Rewards Could Be the Solution to Court Interpreting
By: Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion In a recent article, economist Mariana Mazzucato argues that achieving good economic growth in the UK requires getting public-private partnerships right by ensuring fair sharing of both risks and rewards. Mazzucato highlights the historical problem in the UK, where public-private partnerships often lead to the…
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Labour Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services Insist on Allowing ‘the Market’ to determine Interpreters Fees, Ignoring Evidence from the House of Lords Inquiry
By Fardous Bahbouh, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion researcher, specialised in the UK outsourced public service interpreting. The Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman, spoke at the House of Lords on Wednesday. Instead of acknowledging the inquiry’s published evidence, the minister shamelessly reiterated false statements based on clearly flawed data. She even…
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Before Setting New Year’s Resolutions: Beware the Trap of CPD for Precarious Workers (AKA Freelancers)
Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in equality and political economy As the festive season approaches, a time meant to be joyful can often feel like a storm of financial stress, social anxiety, and forced cheerfulness. For freelancers, especially those in exploitive sectors like the outsourced public service interpreting, this time of year brings additional pressures. Family…
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Professionalism vs Indentured Labour
I just had a difficult conversation with the gentleman who cleans our windows. He was quite unreasonable, but I managed to stay firm and calm. Usually, he cleans windows for several buildings on our street in one go. He charges me £11 for about half an hour’s work—just the exteriors. I told him our needs…
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Outsourced Then Screwed
The United Nations reported that, despite being the world’s fifth-largest economy, one-fifth of the UK’s population—14 million people—lived in poverty, with 1.5 million experiencing destitution in 2018. Fast forward to 2024, and while the UK remains a wealthy nation, it continues to grapple with “unacceptably high levels of poverty,” which disproportionately impact women and individuals…
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An Open Letter to Baroness Morris of Yardley, Chair of the Public Service Committee: Concerns Regarding Interpreters’ Representation
By Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Dear Baroness Morris, I hope this message finds you well. I want to express my deep gratitude for your considerable efforts in leading the House of Lords inquiry into court interpreting—I greatly appreciate it. I am writing to convey my serious concerns about the lack…
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Reevaluating Public Service Interpreting and Translation: An Ethical, Economic, and Policy Analysis.
By Fardous Bahbouh, PhD researcher in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion This slightly modifies analysis was submitted to the House of Lords Inquiry into court interpreting and translation and published on their website. I welcome the House of Lords Public Services Committee’s decision to conduct this much-needed inquiry into interpreting and translation services in the courts.…
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Inequality, Exploitation and Problematic Power Dynamics in the Outsourced Public Service Interpreting in the UK
By Fardous Bahbouh, Equity PhD researcher (work in progress) Abstract Despite being one of the world’s wealthiest nations, the UK continues to grapple with widespread poverty. In 2018, one-fifth of the population lived in poverty, with 1.5 million experiencing destitution (United Nations, 2019a). By 2024, poverty persists, disproportionately impacting women and ethnic minorities, including many…
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