The Socialists and Democrats are presenting a new report today exposing the alarming reality faced by trainees in Europe and the risks posed by the lack of regulation for workers’ rights, while offering solutions to secure fair pay and full rights for trainees.

Read the S&D report conducted by Joanna Helme, University of Oxford.(opens in a new tab)

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

“Why do we need to talk about trainees? The report we are presenting today paints a grim picture: Nearly half of all trainees receive no pay at all. Current EU regulation is incomplete and non-binding. It is unclear on rights and contains no requirements on pay. Unpaid traineeships are, in practice, social discrimination: they limit career opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“For years, the S&Ds have fought to end this injustice with EU legislation to ban unpaid traineeships and protect trainees against discrimination and abuse. The previous European Commission made progress by presenting a legislative proposal, thanks to the political will of Nicolas Schmit, social democrat and former commissioner for jobs and social rights. In March, we presented an ambitious draft report in the European Parliament, knowing it will be a tough battle – too many people benefit from today's 'wild west' of traineeships.

“As negotiations in the European Parliament were ongoing, in June, EU member states adopted a position that, unfortunately, leaves out around 75% of trainees in Europe and lacks key protections. By focusing mainly on disguised employment, it fails to address other widespread abuses. We believe this falls short of the legislation that young people truly need and deserve.

“Our position has not changed. We remain fully committed to ensuring quality traineeships for young people. We must be clear: the real divide is not between past and present EU Commissions or Parliaments. It is between those who want to protect young people and those who prioritise economic interests over workers’ rights.

“The fight is not over. The European Parliament has both the chance and the duty to improve the legislation in negotiations with the Council. We will continue to push for:

• a strong, clear definition of traineeships;
• a broader scope covering the vast majority of trainees in Europe;
• secure minimum rights across Europe;
• ambitious standards on pay, social protection and the duration of traineeships;
• strong safeguards for equal treatment and trade union access.”

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. In March, she presented it to the employment committee, which kicked off parliamentary negotiations.

In June, the Council adopted its position, which the S&Ds consider unacceptable.

The Parliament’s final position, which will serve as the basis for negotiations with EU member states, is expected to be finalised this autumn.