Reblogged from the BBC News website. The BBC published this story 5 June 2010.
“We have a culture where lots of sectors are relying on unpaid work and that is just not fair” Kate Lawton IPPR
Too many professions are relying on young people doing unpaid work, a think-tank has said.
The Institute for Public Policy Research says it is unfair that school-leavers and graduates are expected to work for free in sectors like fashion.
The TUC says a third of those on work placements and internships are unpaid.
Universities Minister David Willetts says he is concerned the practice discriminates against the less well off and the government will look into it.
One in five businesses are expected to offer work placements and internships this summer, but many – especially in areas like the arts and media – will not pay those employed even though they do productive work.
Kayte Lawton, from the IPPR, said: “We have a culture where lots of sectors are relying on unpaid work and that is just not fair, both for those who have to do the work and those who do not get the opportunities, so we need a big culture shift.”
Read the entire article on the BBC News website.
