The campaign to come to an agreement concerning internships and traineeships began in August last year, as the National Union of Luxembourgish Students (UNEL) stressed that students risk falling into precariousness when they work unpaid internships or internships with very little pay.
As the UNEL's representative Vicky Reichling highlighted, this agreement with the minister is a historic moment, as all internships will now be paid. This covers both voluntary internships, which students apply for in the hopes of gaining work experience, and internships considered a requirement for their studies.
Initially, the draft bill did not include remuneration for internships required as part of students' courses, but Reichling explained that the students' associations pushed for this. She pointed out that businesses make a profit after having an unpaid intern for four weeks, which was the basis of the UNEL's argument for binding paid internships into legislation. She went on to stress that it was illogical for voluntary internships to be paid and required internships to remain unpaid.
Obligatory internships lasting four weeks or more will now see students being paid 30% of the unqualified minimum wage, which corresponds to €620 per month. Voluntary internships lasting between four weeks and three months will be provided with remuneration corresponding to 50% of the unqualified minimum wage. Finally, students working internships longer than three months will receive remuneration which is equivalent to 75% of the unqualified minimum wage.
The agreement also foresees a different in payment once students have graduated with a bachelor degree. Whilst the percentages of payment will remain the same as outlined above, students with a bachelor degree will be paid the equivalent percentage of the qualified minimum wage.
Minister Dan Kersch is currently in Montenegro due to his role as Minister of Sport, but confirmed the agreement all the same. He explained that the agreement has extended possibilities for those interested in pursuing internships, claiming that now those who have completed their secondary education or a bachelor degree can apply for internships without having to worry about receiving no pay at all.
Kersch also examined the agreement from the perspective of businesses, stating that the agreement has removed a limitation as they can now hire more interns.
Upon inquiry, the UEL described the agreement as a 'good compromise'. Businesses desperately require trainees and students need experience and need to be able to make money from that work experience. Reichling's position on the matter, echoed by the ACEL, is that it is a communal success.
Work experience: Agreement on internships and trainee allowances
