Irish radio broadcaster RTÉ Radio has agreed to review the employment status of 106 contractors after a law firm’s report found that they have “attributes akin to employment”, reports the Irish Times. The report by law firm Eversheds Sutherland reviewed a total of 433 RTÉ contractors and found “inconsistencies” were identified in certain roles where some people had been hired as staff and others as contractors. In addition to the 106 people found to have “attributes akin to employment”, a further 51 contractors were assessed as having “attributes akin to both employment and self-employment” with the report stating that they should have their status reviewed after the initial group. The law firm recommended that RTÉ introduce a new policy on hiring freelances, developing “clear guidelines” on how and when it engages either contractors or employees. RTÉ said it would embrace the findings.

Meanwhile, the RTÉ Trade Union Group commented, “It is a welcome development that 106 people forced to work as contractors and freelancers against their wishes in RTÉ have now been recognised and will have their employment status corrected. This is a significant positive development for people working in RTÉ and trade unions hope that the steps to follow will set an example for other organisations who have sought to exploit the gig economy at the expense of workers rights and entitlements.”