In the pursuit of a career, many individuals have willingly undertaken unpaid work to gain valuable experience. However, obtaining accurate statistics on the prevalence of unpaid work is surprisingly challenging.
A national survey conducted in 2016 in Australia revealed that over half (58%) of respondents aged 18 to 29, and more than a quarter (26%) aged 30 to 64, had engaged in unpaid work at least once in the previous five years. national survey
Data also indicates that more than a third (37.4%) of university students in Australia are involved in work-integrated learning experiences as part of their tertiary studies. also data
This phenomenon is not unique to Australia. A survey conducted by the European Union in 2013 found that 46% of individuals aged 18 to 35 had completed at least one internship, with over half of them being unpaid. EU survey
Exploring the Motivation Behind Unpaid Work
Why are so many individuals worldwide willing to undertake unpaid jobs in the form of traineeships, internships, or work experience?
One reason could be the strong emphasis placed on internships as a bridge from education to employment. Employers often prioritize practical experience when making hiring decisions. practical experience
Additionally, universities, government bodies, and industry professionals have actively endorsed internships as a means for students to develop relevant skills and transition into the graduate job market. universities industry and government
Given the support of these stakeholders, it is unsurprising that many students and graduates view internships as essential for securing employment. However, there are negative implications associated with internships that stakeholders are hesitant to address.
The Inaccessibility of Internships
When internships become prerequisites for professional accreditation or pseudo-mandatory requirements, only those who have completed internships can enter certain professions.
Individuals who cannot afford to work for free or lack connections to secure internships may face barriers and miss out on opportunities in their desired industries.
Furthermore, the prevalence of unpaid or low-paid internships poses broader implications. It can perpetuate existing disadvantages, limit diversity within professions, and potentially replace paid employment with exploitative labor practices. existing disadvantage cheap dead-end labor
Evidence suggests that some tertiary students in Australia encounter obstacles that hinder their ability to secure and complete internships, particularly disadvantaged students from low socio-economic backgrounds, rural areas, and Indigenous communities. evidence includes
These concerning outcomes have prompted calls for reform. The European Parliament recently supported a proposal to amend the Quality Framework for Traineeships, advocating for fair remuneration of trainees across EU countries. recently endorsed
Regulating Internships: Recent Developments and Considerations
Several countries have implemented stricter regulations surrounding internships. For example, France banned open market internships in 2014 and now only permits regulated internships that are part of a student’s academic studies.
These regulations in France include rigorous supervision requirements for both the workplace host and the university, as well as obligations for payment when internships exceed a specified duration. Belgium, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, and Slovenia have also enacted specific laws mandating payment for open market traineeships. payment
These developments in the European Union serve as a reminder for Australia to reevaluate its stance on internship regulations. Presently, Australian regulations lack comprehensive measures for regulating internships.
Existing rules tend to address isolated issues such as discrimination or harassment protection for interns and adherence to internship course standards set by universities. However, addressing these issues individually does not effectively tackle the broader complexities associated with internships.
Leading the Future of Unpaid Work
As internships are highly valued by various stakeholders, they are likely to persist in some form. Therefore, it is crucial to explore how internships can be regulated to minimize negative outcomes and maximize benefits.
This requires a national debate and addressing difficult questions, such as determining the value of work and the impact of allowing unpaid work on individuals and society. It is also essential to consider who should bear the responsibility of funding training and skills development and which individuals should be protected by labor laws.
By answering these questions, Australia can establish the role and purpose of internships and implement a regulatory framework to ensure fairness. Perhaps, as advocated by the European Parliament, it is time to end the exploitation of interns and provide them with fair compensation for their work.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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