MORE than half of those working in the arts have been exposed to bullying, sexual harassment or abuse, a shocking new STUC study has found.

The Freelance and Forgotten report lifts the lid on the scale of exploitation workers in creative industries face, with almost a third forced to sign non-disclosure agreements with an employer amid endemic harassment.

Despite the sector being worth £5 billion to the Scottish economy, researchers also found that 69 per cent of workers had experienced late payment, and a third had not been paid at all for their freelance work.

The Scottish government is preparing to publish recommendations on how to implement its Fair Work agenda in the sector.

STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said: “It’s abundantly clear that, however well-intentioned the Scottish government is with its Fair Work agenda, it simply does not exist for workers within the creative sector.

“Fair work means fair work. It doesn’t mean, as our report found, hundreds of workers being subject to bullying, sexual harassment and abuse within a sector built upon precarity and inequality.

“The Scottish government must take seriously our findings and hear the voices of Scotland’s creative workers if we are to protect and enhance their livelihoods. 

“With over 100,000 workers in the sector, the arts in Scotland could be the leading light in fair work. 

“However, that simply cannot be done whilst the rights of creative workers continue to be ridden over roughshod by shoddy employers and poor employment practices. 

“This must change and the Scottish government and all sector partners must work together to make fair work a reality.”

The Scottish government was contacted for comment.