The idea of the labor department to prohibit free internships requires broad public consultations. The burden of employers with too high costs can cause that their openness to the admission of an intern or apprentice will decrease – PAP Robert Lisicki from the Lewiatan Confederation told PAP.
Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, the minister of family, work and social policy, announced in July to start work on the act prohibiting the use of free internships. Until now, the ministry has not informed about the assumptions of the new regulation, including what type of internships and internships will be covered by the payment order.
Leviathan Confederation Expert Robert Lisicki in an interview with PAP assessed that the slogan “ban on free internships” is the beginning of the discussion. In his opinion, the key issue is to clarify what internships or practices should be concerned, and the topic is complex and requires broad public consultations.
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He noted that the efficiency of performing tasks under the internship differs due to the type of work performed, the experience of a person and their ability to acquire new skills. There are voices that it is only by the end of the internship period of the person begins to acquire skills, perform the entrusted tasks more and more efficiently, which should be reflected in any benefits.
– This is a very individual matter. In many cases, at the initial stage of the internship, the main effort rests with an entrepreneur who must provide appropriate, safe conditions and appoint a person who must train an intern, introduce to the organization of work – he emphasized.
Lisicki also noted that the issue of employers' doubts is the amount of remuneration that will be guaranteed to interns. In the case of the minimum wage – as he said – should be considered how much work performed by an intern or apprentice can be compared to an employee who has experience, appropriate qualifications and competences.
– In many cases, the work of an intern is not effective enough that, according to the employer, it deserves the level of the minimum wage He pointed out.
In addition, according to the expert, too much financial burden of employers may cause them to limit internship offers. – The burden of employers with too high costs can cause that in certain places openness to the admission of an intern, the apprentice may be smaller – he explained.
According to Lisicki, from the point of view of entrepreneurs, a discussion about improving the conditions of internships, an educational element, gaining experience and actual work education is correct. He emphasized that in order for the purpose of the internship or practice, i.e. gaining experience, they should be met in good conditions.
– However, it is necessary to balance the issue of the costs to be borne by the employer in connection with the organization of the internship. By introducing someone to the work environment, we accept responsibility to provide appropriate standards, working conditions, tools and appoint a person who is responsible for an intern or apprentice. For this person – if this internship, practice is reliably carried out – this is an additional burden, at least at the beginning – he noted.
Students are interested in solutions. A press spokesman for the Independent Student Association (NZS) Mateusz Nesterowicz emphasized that Young people expect gratification for their work and effort, which they put into duties. In the academic year 2024/2025, the organization conducted a study “Practices and student internships” at a sample of 1330 students in Poland.
– The conclusions we formulated are, above all, the fact that students have a sense of injustice due to the fact that they do not receive any remuneration for the work they do, whether in the form of internships or practices. According to students, this aspect causes them to have great difficulties in their daily functioning – he emphasized.
He noted that the current living costs are so high that most students are forced to combine paid work with studies. Free internships – often imposed in the study program – makes it difficult for them to stay without the help of their parents. This means that graduates of bachelor's studies often give up continuing education at MA studies.
According to the young spokesperson, the employers want to take responsibility for the conditions in which internships and internships, are worthy and enable them to function normal. He emphasized – students in the study indicated that the minimum wage would not be the only satisfactory solution. Among the alternatives, they exchanged, among others Ensuring compensation for commuting or benefits in the form of food and drink.
– The point is that this man would not have to worry for a moment, he had something from this work that will realistically help him experience – he pointed out.
Work on the ban on free internships also takes place at European level. The agreement and recommendations to the Directive in this matter were developed and adopted during the Polish Presidency in the EU Council. (PAP)
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