The TriGong -
South China Morning Post

This month's TriGong award combines the Gong (it tolls for late payers) and the Trireme Award (for "the worst terms since I was chained to the oars"). The TriGong goes to the South China Morning Post, which commissioned a thousand words at 2.50 Hong Kong dollars "per word"; but then much later sent the contributor a contract saying the word rate was "per published word."

A piece considerably under 1000 words appeared. After "a long wait", and deduction of Hong Kong taxes, the freelance was ultimately paid just £79.

See www.londonfreelance.org/fl/1108abro.html - before signing such contracts - for advice on getting paid abroad.

Photo: © a member of the Trireme Trust