Interns join forces with the HMRC

Interns all over the UK have been rebelling against unpaid or expenses-only internships for more than four years.

The website of Interns Anonymous, a group which has joined forces with Intern Aware and Internocracy, says that “It’s naked exploitation to be asked to work for nothing. It’s modern-day slavery”.

Last week HMRevenue and Customs (HMRC) has finally pledged to check that companies advertising internships are paying the minimum wage to young people, after having targeted 200 employers who recently advertised for free labour.

The Government believes that anyone considered a worker under the law should be paid at least the minimum wage, which is currently set at £5.03 an hours for 18-to-20-year-olds, rising to £6.31 for those aged 21 and over.

Talking about both interns and people on work experience, employment minister Jo Swinson said: ”Not paying the national minimum wage is illegal and if an employer breaks the law, the government will take tough action”.

A new Government's project is currently helping young people understanding what rights they have over pay, as well as where to go if they feel they are being exploited by the companies they are working for.