The cost of unpaid internships

This paper makes the case for a new settlement of workers rights that no longer privileges certain segments of the labour market, but provides the same safety net and benefits for all, from day one on the job.

Precarious work is not inevitable; rather, it is a result of political decisions and can therefore be mitigated and ultimately eliminated. This paper outlines actionable steps at both the national and EU level to address the issue, paving the way for a better relationship between mental health and the world of work for young people.

As part of our campaign, we want to see the introduction of a proposal for an EU Directive that sets out a gold standard as to what a quality internship should look like.