Government urged to tackle discrimination and harassment in music

Over 700 music industry workers have signed an open letter to Minister for Women and Equalities Kemi Badenoch calling for changes in legislation to make music workplaces safer.

The demands of the open letter, organised by the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM), include amending the Equality Act to protect all music sector workers - including freelancers - from discrimination and harassment.

It also calls for reintroducing rights around third-party harassment, to ensure workers are protected from discrimination by audience members, clients, and customers, and extending the time limit to bring discrimination cases from three months to six months.

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The open letter was delivered yesterday (8 February), on the same day the Women and Equalities Committee, of which Badenoch is not a member, heard evidence on misogyny in music.

“By taking steps to improve our sector, you will not only be helping to keep us, as workers, safer: you will be contributing to strengthening a world-leading industry. Our industry will be stronger if it is safer,” the letter concludes.

It follows an ISM report published last year that found workplace discrimination in the music industry is on the rise, with female, ethnically diverse and disabled workers particularly affected.

Three quarters of those who had experienced discrimination and harassment were found not to have reported the instance, often because they were worried about being victim blamed or losing out on future job opportunities.

“The response to our work to eradicate bullying and harassment has been phenomenal, and that’s because it sadly resonates with the music workforce,” ISM President Vick Bain said.

ISM Chief Executive Deborah Annetts added the music sector had “sent a strong message to the government and I hope that Kemi Badenoch listens and acts”.

“For over 700 individuals to come together and publicly demand change in this way is extraordinary and shows how deeply held the desire for improvement is.”