08/10/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 8 October, the European Parliament confirmed, without challenging it, the negotiating mandate given to Alícia Homs Ginel (S&D, Spanish) to negotiate better working conditions for trainees and dissuade companies from disguising jobs as traineeships (see EUROPE 13715/22). The European Parliament wants to ensure that trainees have contracts with clear provisions on pay, duration and social protection. It has broadened the scope of work placements covered, with the exception of compulsory work placements in an educational context with a view to obtaining academic credits and as part of an apprenticeship, and requires that these be of limited duration and involve entry-level work. An internship that is not remunerated in accordance with national law, that has no training component or that has no mentoring or evaluation should be considered abusive. The first trilogue is scheduled for 14 October. (SP)