Thousands of applications have been received for the controversial Eurovision volunteer roles across Liverpool.
In two months time, around 100,000 extra visitors are expected to descend on Liverpool when it hosts the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine. The city has stepped in to host the major musical event after beating a number of other cities from across the UK for the honour.
It was announced in February how Liverpool Council’s culture team was seeking to fill 500 volunteer roles to support the delivery of Eurovision, with volunteers being required for various periods starting from Monday, May 1 until Sunday, May 14. A new report to the council’s culture and visitor economy has revealed that the authority has received five times more applications than there are roles available.
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A Eurovision update said more than 2,500 people had applied to take part as a volunteer for the two weeks of events in May. Volunteers will be located across the city centre, at the Tourist Information Centre in Liverpool ONE, at the Eurovision Village on the Pier Head and at key transport hubs.
Duties will include scanning event tickets, meeting and greeting visitors, or welcoming artists to backstage areas in the Eurovision Village. After the roles were announced last month, Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson was criticised for her comments on social media about the positions.
Mayor Anderson tweeted: "Volunteering is an integral part of holding large events in the UK. The Trade Union and labour movement have been built on volunteer time. I have given hours and hours of free time to the labour movement - even paid subs for the privilege."
Several trade union members were vocal in their rebuttal of the tweet by Mayor Anderson, with Carl Roper of the TUC saying: "Joanne, with respect these are cleaning and catering jobs.
"Surely you don't think someone should clean artists dressing rooms without being paid? To equate this to the work of union reps and activists is seriously disingenuous."
Jay McKenna added: "Volunteering has a specific role - we know that having been part of memorandums of understanding and agreements around major events. But there seems to be a difference here given the ‘reward’ for doing so and the responsibilities entailed."
Liverpool Council’s own advert said: "Volunteering is an opportunity to meet new people, gain skills and make great memories. It is a rewarding experience to feel part of a team and to have contributed to an event that will be talked about for decades."
In response, the TUC said: "We’ve had a number of people ask questions about this scheme and we’re contacting the council to find out more. Workers should be paid, and these advertised roles look like more than people might expect from volunteers."
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