EU Nations Split on Directive Targeting Fake Internships

Brussels, EU – Labor ministers from the 27 EU member states failed to reach an agreement on stricter internship regulations, as announced by the Hungarian EU Council Presidency on Monday. Disagreements arose regarding the extent of the proposed EU directive. Austria’s Minister Martin Kocher expressed support for the directive’s goals but cautioned against imposing “unnecessary additional bureaucracy and reporting requirements.”

The directive, introduced by the EU Commission in March, aims to ensure that interns are compensated fairly and treated similarly to regular employees, except in cases where objective factors justify different treatment, such as varying responsibilities or workload. Additionally, member states are expected to rigorously monitor internships to prevent them from masquerading as regular employment. However, the Commission opted not to endorse a complete ban on unpaid internships, contrary to the demands from the EU Parliament.

Concessions Made in Compromise Texts

A spokesperson for the Hungarian Council Presidency reported the presentation of several compromise drafts, which have already offered significant concessions compared to the initial Commission proposal. Nonetheless, some countries have called for further exceptions, while others advocate for a more comprehensive and less flexible approach. EU directives require national implementation to become effective for citizens and businesses, allowing member states some discretion in how they enact the laws.

Kocher emphasized in a media briefing in Brussels the importance of preventing the exploitation of young people through “sham internships.” He reiterated the necessity for an implementation process that enables companies to continue offering internships without undue bureaucratic burdens or reporting requirements. (02.12.2024)