On Wednesday 14 June, MEPs adopted by 404 votes to 78 with 130 abstentions a report calling on the European Commission to present a directive aimed at guaranteeing the quality of traineeships in the EU and establishing minimum compensation for trainees (see EUROPE 13178/22).
The aim is to update the existing quality framework for traineeships. The directive requested by the elected representatives will have to set minimum quality standards, in particular for the duration of traineeships, compensation and access to social protection, in line with national legislation and practices, summarises a press release.
“Traineeships must be adequately remunerated to cover at least the cost of basic necessities such as food, accommodation and transport, taking into account the cost of living in each Member State”. The report also calls on Member States to make traineeships more accessible to people with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and to encourage cross-border traineeships.
A number of members of the EPP group, notably from Spain, abstained from the vote, as did the ECR and ID, but also some members of Renew Europe and S&D. In particular, the EPP would have liked a recommendation rather than a request for a directive. Some elected representatives also raised concerns about respect for subsidiarity.
Link to the report adopted without amendment: https://aeur.eu/f/7hj (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)