As an Open Source person I am apparently expected to keep doing things for free so I get invited to participate in EU policy events in Brussels, with not even an attempt to offer me compensation for travel, lodging or time.
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@FreakyFwoof @bagder Had that with my band. Once we stopped accepting gigs that paid in beer and pie and actually started charging money, it turned out most folks were quite willing to pay it.
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@bagder I've been invited to EU events, to UN events, and to meetings of standards bodies, most times without compensation for travel and lodging. That is standard practice and it means that, in real life, only those with spare time and money or a large company backing their expenses can influence the outcome of such meetings.
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> I wonder if the organisers have thought of it?
In such a case, my first thought is "how much were they paid not to think about it?" EU institutions pretending to invite pluralistic participation without reimbursements is far too systemic in nature not to be the result of a planned operation.
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Unpaid work is a big thing in too many industries
https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/31/us/elon-musk-company-unpaid-liens-invs
https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news/2026/07/31/spacexai-liens-construction-colossus-darana.html
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210507-why-we-glorify-the-cult-of-burnout-and-overwork
Unpaid content
https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/449690-talk-show-host-david-pakman-analyzes-youtube-demonetization/Unpaid content moderation
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/dec/30/reddit-moderator-protest-communities-social-mediaUnpaid overtime
https://medium.com/career-programming/why-swes-must-work-unpaid-overtime-4b4ce9571185https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20211013-how-working-unpaid-hours-became-part-of-the-job
Unpaid invoices
https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/nearly-half-of-creative-freelancers-regularly-work-unpaid-hours-reporthttps://www.ibtimes.com.au/spacexai-570-million-claim-ihra-financial-turmoil-1873420
Unpaid marketing
https://www.businessinsider.com/cision-faces-collective-action-lawsuit-alleging-unpaid-overtime-2021-5Wage theft
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/15/wage-theft-us-workers-employees@Npars01 @bagder Someone really needs to sue him.
In #Germany, those who have substantial overdue payments may even apply for "Creditor Insolvency" as the non-payment is a clear indicator of insolvency (Why wouldn't a honest merchant pay?).
- It's also a felony to commit to a contract knowing one cannot fulfill financial obligations of it at time of signature… (Contractual Entrance Fraud)…
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As an Open Source person I am apparently expected to keep doing things for free so I get invited to participate in EU policy events in Brussels, with not even an attempt to offer me compensation for travel, lodging or time.
So I decline.
Fair enough, considering you'd end up in the negatives on the trade -
As an Open Source person I am apparently expected to keep doing things for free so I get invited to participate in EU policy events in Brussels, with not even an attempt to offer me compensation for travel, lodging or time.
So I decline.
@bagder You have to understand, the EU has to give so many billions as subsidies to fossil companies, it has nothing left for volunteers.
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@bagder I think people inviting people just assume everyone has an employer that covers your salary during those days and you can reimburse travel costs :')
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As an Open Source person I am apparently expected to keep doing things for free so I get invited to participate in EU policy events in Brussels, with not even an attempt to offer me compensation for travel, lodging or time.
So I decline.
@bagder meanwhile Europe recently announced unlocking 10B€ for AI ressources...
What a disappointment... -
@bagder I usually ask for the details on travel and accommodation instead of outright refusing, and I was surprised to get it covered several times!
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As an Open Source person I am apparently expected to keep doing things for free so I get invited to participate in EU policy events in Brussels, with not even an attempt to offer me compensation for travel, lodging or time.
So I decline.
@bagder same. I can't do everything for free
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As an Open Source person I am apparently expected to keep doing things for free so I get invited to participate in EU policy events in Brussels, with not even an attempt to offer me compensation for travel, lodging or time.
So I decline.
@bagder Brussel bureaucrats sabotaging Open Source from day one.
It's corruption. -
As an Open Source person I am apparently expected to keep doing things for free so I get invited to participate in EU policy events in Brussels, with not even an attempt to offer me compensation for travel, lodging or time.
So I decline.
@bagder this is the model for 50%+ academic people. Peer review, research, write papers, attend conferences, but mostly get no or very little financial support. This is very common.
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As an Open Source person I am apparently expected to keep doing things for free so I get invited to participate in EU policy events in Brussels, with not even an attempt to offer me compensation for travel, lodging or time.
So I decline.
@bagder I was always under the impression that if a company or organization invites you, that they cover at least the travel and lodging.
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@bagder the issue being is they'll get only voices of people backed by money; so certain corporations with certain interests.
That's not an issue for you to solve but I wonder if the organisers have thought of it?
@smallsees @bagder I have repeatedly pointed it out to them, if it's the event I'm thinking of.
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A alf149@social.data.coop shared this topic
