FremantleMedia Hit with Lawsuit

LOS ANGELES: FremantleMedia North America is being sued by three former reality TV production staffers, reports indicate, over alleged "sweatshop" conditions and the lack of overtime pay.

The employees, who worked on Osbournes: Reloaded, Thank God You’re Here and American Idol, among other shows, maintain that they were forced to work up to 20 hours a day, seven days a week. They also allege that they were denied meal and rest breaks. The suit seeks class-action status for producers, talent coordinators and other production staffers, according to the New York Times. The suit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday. 

"There’s no Hollywood glamour for the below-the-line people who work on American Idol and other reality shows, who are grossly underpaid, worked 24/7 and receive no rest or meal breaks and no health coverage contrary to California labour laws," lawyer Jonathan Biddle is quoted as saying.