The European Commission replies to recent citizens’ letters expressing their concern about unpaid traineeships. The proposals of the European Commission aim indeed to promote fair pay and access to social protection for trainees.

The European Commission fully shares the concerns voiced by citizens. Indeed, young people deserve decent working conditions, from the very start of their working life, including in traineeships. 

Traineeships are an important pathway for young people to get their first work experience, to learn new skills, and to build their network. However, they need to be of good quality, including by ensuring fair remuneration so that they could benefit all and contribute to creating a more inclusive and equitable workforce.  

The proposals of the European Commission aim to improve working conditions for trainees, combat bogus traineeships, make traineeships more inclusive and accessible, and promote fair pay and access to social protection for trainees.

In the proposal for a Directive, the European Commission has included an obligation for Member States to ensure that trainees are treated equally in terms of working conditions, including pay, compared to regular employees. Member States are also asked to set up effective controls and inspections to combat the use of bogus traineeships, where trainees are doing the job of regular workers, but for little or no pay. 

The European Commission takes note of your demand to make sure trainees are paid. The Commission has included a provision on ensuring fair pay for trainees in its proposal for a Council Recommendation.

The Commission calls on Member States to endorse and implement this recommendation. The Commission also calls on companies to pay their trainees.

The European Commission has gone as far as possible to set the right framework for trainees to experience what is often their first job experience in the best conditions. Under the EU Treaties, the Union cannot introduce measures regulating pay.

The successful adoption and implementation of the proposed Directive and Council Recommendation are crucial for ensuring decent working conditions for trainees.

It is now up to the European Parliament and the Council to take the proposed package on quality traineeships forward, with the continued support of the European Commission.