“Interns have no rights and therefore no union representation. With this lack of status, it is more difficult to defend oneself.” In two sentences, Sarah explains why Génération-Précaire, of which she is a spokesperson, has decided to organize a national movement on Thursday, November 24. The demands are numerous. The most important is to have a real status and to stop the exploitation of interns by companies.
Often, companies forget that an intern should be trained, supported. Isolated, independent, performing the same tasks as a paid employee without any compensation or at most 30% of the minimum wage, an intern has every reason to feel exploited. “I am at the office at 9 am, and I leave at 8 pm. They give me the company car and I go out and report all day long. Without my work, the 8 pm news wouldn’t happen,” testifies Eric, who interned for three months at a local radio station. “Between pride and disgust: pride to see that I am capable of bringing back interesting subjects, broadcastable interviews but disgust because after two months of internships, I only got a single thank you. Obviously, no compensation and no job offer. And here I am heading to another internship,” explains Eric.
Eric learned to be independent, to work alone, to manage on the field by himself. Not to blame this radio, but it was certainly the objective of this internship. When a student finishes their course, they want to gain experience. They accept almost anything. In the media, an internship, even unaccompanied, remains educational. Eric, to take his case, has learned, has progressed. It should not allow companies to exploit the situation and choose the easy solution. A business owner, constrained by budgetary rigor, is tempted by this. A young man at the end of his studies, motivated and whom he does not have to pay represents an opportunity for him.
Génération-Précaire wants to put an end to this system. “On Thursday, during our national day of action, we organize the most significant gathering from 12 pm to 2 pm simply because an intern does not have the right to strike,” specifies Sarah. Génération-Précaire demands that internships become real internships again with a mentor who advises and perfects the intern with systematic compensations. In a way, enforce the famous adage “all work deserves pay.”
Among the lot of demands, as a symbol of recognition, is the right for an intern to contribute towards retirement. “Some do internships for two or three years. It would be logical for an intern to start contributing. This would make both the intern and the employer more responsible,” analyzes Sarah.
Interns have no unions. Génération Précaire is an association defending their rights. Their representatives met with employee unions on Tuesday. Wednesday they meet employer unions and on Thursday they will present their demands to Gérard Larcher, the Deputy Minister of Employment, Labor, and Youth Professional Integration.
“Our action receives a favorable reception for now,” concludes Sarah. It is hoped that the interns’ demands will be heard and that an agreement will be found to end this feeling of being exploited.”
Vincent Trinquat
For more information or to sign the petition online:
www.generation-precaire.org
