According to the BDÜ’s guidance on interpreting fees that were published in 2022, the Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators (BDÜ) in Germany maintains the fight for fair pay for qualified interpreters and calling for modifications to the quality control procedures used when hiring translators and interpreters.
The Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators (BDÜ) in Germany has recently updated its guidance on fair remuneration for interpreters, in a move that has been welcomed by professionals in the industry. On February 28, 2023, the Organization declared that it has updated the guidance with current example calculations and helpful advice for interpreters on how to make a strong case during contract talks.
The issues that were depicted in the new guidelines released on the BDÜ website were fair pay rates, hourly billing, and expense reimbursement for interpreters working in various settings, including legal, medical, and conference interpreting.
One of the main updates to the guidelines is the recommendation of minimum rates for interpreters, which take into account their years of experience and the complexity of their work. For example, the minimum rate for an experienced conference interpreter with simultaneous interpreting is set at €138 per hour, while a beginner interpreter is recommended to charge at least €46 per hour. The update also includes guidelines on expense reimbursement, flexibility in price negotiation, and the importance of collective bargaining for interpreters.
The BDÜ’s two position statements on lowering fees sometimes referred to as “fee dumping,” and the effects of this, as well as the risks of “voluntary” interpreting when referring to a professional service that aims to protect people’s rights and freedoms, were both added to last year’s publication on community interpreting fees.
The BDÜ hopes that the new guidance will help to improve the working conditions and remuneration of interpreters in Germany and ensure that their services are valued and compensated fairly. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the interpreting industry, the BDÜ has also included guidance on remote interpreting services and their associated fees.
It has been quoted Karen Margolis, a UK writer, and 26-year Berlin resident that “Translating literature is almost always a labor of love,”. “Most people who do this have university qualifications and make less than the cleaning staff there.”
Many interpreters in Germany have praised the BDÜ’s efforts to improve the industry, noting that fair remuneration is essential for the sustainability of their work and the quality of their services. The updated guidance signals a positive step towards recognizing the important role that interpreters play in ensuring effective communication across languages and cultures, while also addressing long-standing issues of fair compensation in the industry.
BDÜ Helps Interpreters Earning Below Poverty Threshold
The Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators (BDÜ) in Germany has taken a significant step towards addressing the issue of poverty wages in the interpreter industry. The BDÜ has recognized that many interpreters in Germany struggle to make ends meet due to inadequate pay rates and lack of job security, leading to a risk of many interpreters earning below the poverty line threshold.
To address this issue, the BDÜ has launched an initiative to help interpreters who are earning below the poverty threshold. The initiative includes a range of measures, such as providing financial assistance, offering training opportunities to develop new skills, and working with employers and clients to improve pay rates and job security.
The BDÜ’s efforts are particularly important in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a significant impact on the interpreter industry. Many interpreters have lost work due to canceled events and restrictions on in-person meetings, and the pandemic has highlighted the need for greater support and protections for workers in the gig economy.
The BDÜ’s initiative has been welcomed by interpreters across Germany, who have long struggled with issues of low pay and lack of job security. The initiative aims to provide much-needed relief for interpreters who are struggling financially, while also pushing for broader changes to the industry that will make it more sustainable and equitable for all.
Overall, the BDÜ’s efforts to support interpreters earning below the poverty threshold are an important step towards ensuring that these essential workers are able to earn a living wage and have the resources they need to sustain their work. The initiative serves as a model for other organizations and governments to follow in recognizing the value of interpreters and taking concrete steps to address issues of poverty wages and job insecurity in the industry.
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