MEP Costas Mavrides (AKEL–S&D) made an intervention in the debate on “Quality internships in the EU” at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg in the presence of European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit.
In his intervention, the MEP stated the following:
“As the European Parliament, we adopted a resolution last June calling on the European Commission to make a legislative proposal that ensures, in all member states, remuneration covering at least the cost of basic living needs for internship periods and which should be treated as genuine work experience with respect for labour rights.
Furthermore, we call on member states to make internships accessible to people with disabilities and vulnerable individuals. At the same time, we believe that guidance and incentives should be provided to employers, especially small businesses, to offer internship positions, with the ultimate goal of providing high-quality job positions after the internship.”
Concluding, the Cypriot MEP emphasised:
“As a political group, we have taken the lead on the issue (to ensure quality internship positions in the EU) because we believe that young people are not cheap or free labour, but they are the true future of Europe. Therefore, we expect Commissioner Schmit to present a legislative proposal to us before the end of this term.”
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