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Regional secretary with the National Education Union
Why we’re fighting for a fair deal for freelances 
NUJ leader MICHELLE STANISTREET explains how Covid-19 has laid bare the precarious nature of self-employment — and how the union is pressing to defend vulnerable members

CORONAVIRUS does not discriminate when it chooses its victims, but the pandemic has shone a light on the health and social inequalities in society that have led to certain groups suffering more than others — with woman being especially severely affected. 

The effect of Covid-19 on women and their work is a major theme of the TUC’s Women’s Conference. 

A survey of National Union of Journalist members carried out at the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021 showed more than half have experienced mental-health concerns — suffering from stress and anxiety because of the virus, lockdowns and over losing work or income. 

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