Today, the European Parliament kicks off negotiations on key European legislation aimed at improving working conditions of trainees. The Socialists and Democrats, who will lead the parliamentary negotiations, brace themselves for a fierce battle to secure fair pay and full rights for all trainees.

Alicia Homs, S&D MEP and European Parliament’s rapporteur on traineeships, said:

“The situation is alarming: Nearly half of all trainees receive no pay at all, and those who do are often only reimbursed for expenses like transportation. This is not how we ensure decent living conditions or promising careers for young Europeans.

"Traineeships play a crucial role in helping young people transition from education to the labour market. However, too often employers exploit trainees as cheap or even free labour. This can result in discrimination and perpetuate a vicious circle where privilege breeds privilege.

"For years, the S&Ds have been pushing for EU legislation to ban unpaid traineeships and protect trainees against discrimination and abuse. Today, I will present the draft report on this, firmly defending the rights of all trainees.

"To ensure proper regulation of traineeships at the EU level, we need legislation that includes a clear definition of traineeships, enshrines the principle of non-discrimination, and introduces effective mechanisms to prevent abuse.

"Today, we kick off negotiations in the European Parliament. It will be a tough battle – too many people benefit from the current 'wild west' of traineeships. But the principle is simple: trainees perform real work and should be treated as workers. We owe this to young Europeans.”

Note to editors:

The current situation of trainees in Europe, according to Eurobarometer and Eurostat:

• Nearly 80% of Europeans aged 18 to 35 complete a traineeship. However, almost half of all trainees receive no pay at all, and those who do are often only partially compensated for their expenses.
• More than half of young people complete at least two traineeships, as the bar for securing a paid job and entering the labour market continues to rise.
• Nearly one third of young people say that a lack of pay prevents them from gaining work experience, exacerbating social inequalities between those who can afford unpaid work and those who cannot.
• Even before the cost-of-living crisis, the average young European spent €1,200 per month on living expenses. Yet, most traineeships today fail to cover basic monthly costs, let alone provide a minimum wage.

The process toward European legislation on traineeships:

• In June 2023, the European Parliament adopted a progressive and ambitious report on quality traineeships.
• In March 2024, the European Commission presented its legislative proposal. The two co-legislators – the European Parliament and the Council, representing EU member states – must now agree on their respective positions before negotiating the final legislation.
• The European Parliament’s rapporteur on traineeships, S&D MEP Alicia Homs, prepared the draft report outlining Parliament’s position. Today, she will present it to the employment committee, which kicks off parliamentary negotiations.
• The Parliament’s final position, which will serve as the basis for negotiations with EU member states, is expected to be finalised by July.