Literature Review i
The
University of Sussex’s online newspaper published a very interesting article,
regarding the current deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom –
controversial? Considering unpaid internships are actually illegal, I would say
- very.
The
article highlighted that the Vice-President of the
NUS had criticised Nick Clegg for ‘allowing members of his party to recruit
unpaid interns despite his pledge to abolish unpaid placements’.
The prime minister also described these internships as “the
almost exclusive preserve of the sharp-elbowed and the well-connected.”
The above statement simply highlights how many graduates there
are in the wings ready and waiting, employers can literally have their pick! We are keen for any relevant
opportunity to gain that invaluable experience, be it paid or otherwise. Bother interns and employers are aware of this.
It was also highlighted that a fellow member of parliament,
Lynne Featherstone, Minister for Equalities and Criminal Information was similarly
condemned after advertising for unpaid internships on their ‘work for an MP’
website. Hypocritically advertising
unpaid work whilst her party leader is telling others not to!
As Danny Grufferty, the NUS Vice-President for Society and
Citizenship, stated “MPs of all parties must take a moral lead on this issue
and commit to paying all their interns a living wage.”
I agree with Danny Grufferty completely, but does Nick
Clegg? The messages are mixed, to the
press he appears on the interns side, fair and honest, yet behind the scenes
budgets have been cut and internship wages are not important enough. Worringly, the government
support is essential in bringing an end to the epidemic of unpaid working.
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