PCA highlight 'widespread employment contract abuses' in county cricket

The Professional Cricketers' Association has revealed that at least 12 county players have been receiving or offered contracts worth less than the national minimum wage over the course of the past year

^{The PCA has unveiled "widespread employment contract abuses"}

The Professional Cricketers' Association has revealed that at least 12 county players have been receiving or offered contracts worth less than the national minimum wage over the course of the past year.

The findings, released by the players' union on Friday, show that six counties have used unapproved employment contracts in the same time period.

PCA chairman Daryl Mitchell has addressed what his organisation is calling "widespread employment contract abuses", saying young players should not feel compelled to sign such agreements.

The legal national minimum wage for 18-year-olds is £5.90 per hour, which equates to roughly £11,500 per year, while the PCA's guideline annual salary for a player of the same age is £17,897. The guidelines, which are circulated among the counties, are not mandatory.

Nine of the dozen cases highlighted by the PCA involve players signing sub-minimum wage contracts. A further three were offered similar deals.

^{A dozen cases have been highlighted by the players' union}

Mitchell said: “It is extremely disappointing that in the last 12-months alone we have found nine players being paid under the national minimum wage and at least three others offered similar agreements.” 

“On top of which, we know at least six counties are using contracts that are different to the standard contract agreed with the ECB for use by all counties. Sometimes these so-called contracts are nothing more than a one-page letter.

“The standard contract was negotiated and agreed to ensure certain minimum terms are adhered to including minimum salary levels. We are also concerned about the potential impact on insurance provision and other basic employment rights if counties are not using the approved contracts.

“We need to make sure we protect the players’ rights to a fair contract and it seems to me that some players are being exploited by their counties. It is easy for players and in particular those just making their way in the game to feel under pressure to sign deals below minimum wage. They can be influenced that if they do not sign then their dream of playing professionally will be over.

“This is an area we are working really hard on to put right and we have achieved some positive results so far. However, this should not be an issue within professional cricket and we are fighting to stamp out unapproved contracts within the game.

“I know that the ECB share our concerns and we are working with them to ensure this is not the case in the county game going forward.”

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