Unpaid interns could need debt advice
Unpaid interns could need debt advice
- Monday, 29 March 2010As many as one in three interns are working for free and so, without an income, could get into
debt problems.
That is according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which has launched a new website to help exploited workers.
In a competitive job market, lots of companies require first jobbers to have a level of experience that is impossible to achieve without completing an internship, many of which are unpaid.
The number of internships in the UK has increased considerably in the last few years and exists across a broad range of industries.
According to the TUC, a good deal of employers are taking advantage of university graduates' struggle to find work by using them as a source of free labour.
Frequently, this is actually illegal and interns are entitled to at least the minimum wage.
Brendan Barber, TUC general secretary, said: "Internships can be a positive experience and offer a kick start to a career that many young people value.
"But as more and more graduates are being forced to turn to internships in place of traditional entry level jobs, we're concerned that a growing number of interns are at risk of real exploitation."
The news comes as a further blow to students after it was revealed that half of all undergraduates expect debts of more than £15,000 once their course has been completed.
With the job market in a parlous state, it is becoming increasingly difficult for students to
get out of debt.

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