The European Youth Forum (EYF) denounces the cost to young people of unpaid internships. In a study published on Monday 16 January, it finds that with trainees having to spend an average of €1,000 per month to complete their work experience, the current system reinforces inequality.
Not only do many internships last six months, but 53% of the 345 respondents also said that they had to engage in two unpaid internships before finding a job. Young people therefore have to spend €12,000, says the EYF, an amount that is expected to rise further in 2023 as prices rise.
As a result, young people from working-class or marginalised backgrounds are less likely to accept unpaid internships and, consequently, less likely to get a job afterwards.
While some people take up a second job, the researchers do not consider this to be a desirable solution. Excessive working hours lead to additional non-financial costs, including increased stress and a general deterioration in mental health. However, many trainees already report feeling devalued at their placement due to the lack of quality working conditions.
While the European Commission has planned to propose a revision of the EU Council Recommendation on Quality Framework for Traineeships in 2023 (see EUROPE 13096/14), the EYF advocates instead for a European directive “that would guarantee quality, fair and paying working conditions for internships in the open labour market”.
To read the study: https://aeur.eu/f/4wj (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)