On her first day as EU Commissioner, Roxana Mînzatu faced significant challenges as member states struggled to reach a consensus on new EU laws focused on protecting interns. Despite the failure to agree on a comprehensive directive, Mînzatu affirmed that abandoning these critical protections for trainees was not an option. The newly appointed Commissioner for Employment committed to advancing rules aimed at ensuring equal job rights for interns, highlighting the importance of improving working conditions for over 3 million trainees in the EU. She expressed concern that recent proposals to exempt certain positions from the directive would drastically limit its application, thereby compromising the rights of interns in educational and training contexts.
Mînzatu, who previously served as a socialist Member of the European Parliament (MEP), emphasized that she was not interested in legislation for its own sake but aimed to collaborate with EU member states to enhance the proposed law. Following discussions with social affairs ministers in Brussels, where she described the notion of withdrawing the law as “out of the question,” Mînzatu reiterated her commitment to protecting the rights of interns. The legislative groundwork laid by her predecessor, Nicolas Schmit, included proposals for legally binding minimum standards concerning interns’ social protections, mentoring, and remuneration—key aspects necessary for their development and integration into the labor market.
The European Commissioner could find support among certain member states, such as Spain, which vigorously opposed the draft law over concerns that it would promote a competitive downscaling of wages instead of fostering skill development among youth. Spanish Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz voiced her apprehensions regarding the prioritization of low-cost labor over educational progression, suggesting that the legislative approach could inadvertently lead to the replacement of skilled positions with cheaper alternatives. As the discussions progressed, member states like Germany and Romania expressed the need for continued dialogue, with expectations of further negotiations in the coming months when Poland comes into the Council presidency.
While the draft legislation, currently shaped by the Hungarian presidency, represents the furthest consensus among a majority of EU member states, some diplomats noted that countries were hesitant to delve into more comprehensive provisions, preferring the current flexibility. The proposed directive outlines critical principles aimed at preventing the exploitation of interns, including setting ratios of staff to trainees and defining contract lengths and intern responsibilities. Mînzatu advocated for stringent anti-discrimination measures and effective enforcement strategies, recognizing that many interns could find themselves in vulnerable labor market positions, making it essential for them to be equipped with robust rights.
Concerns regarding the comprehensive application of the draft legislation were echoed by youth organizations and trade unions. The European Youth Forum (EYF) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) both indicated that the revised Council text fell short of offering adequate protection to young workers. Notably, the high costs associated with unpaid internships—averaging over €1,000 per month for young individuals—were highlighted as a significant barrier to equal opportunities in the labor market. Voices advocating for the protection of interns have long called for an outright ban on unpaid internships, positing that such practices violate basic human rights.
In the face of opposition to the proposed measures, Mînzatu faces the dual challenge of navigating complex negotiations among diverse member states while striving to uphold the rights of young workers. As the new Commissioner seeks to strike a balance between regulatory frameworks and the realities faced by trainees, the call for improved protections remains a pressing issue. Youth organizations continue to highlight that unpaid internships exacerbate existing inequalities, underscoring the urgent need for robust legislative action that safeguards the interests of young people across Europe. Mînzatu’s determination to address these concerns could prove pivotal in shaping the future landscape of internship regulations in the EU.
