Internships are an important part of many studies, both at colleges and universities. They offer students the opportunity to learn more about their future field of work during their studies. In many cases, internships are also a compulsory part of the programme.
Fake internships
As a student, it is good to know that learning is central to an internship. Therefore, make concrete agreements with your programme and the internship company about the learning objectives you want to achieve and the activities that go with them. It is best to have this included in your contract.
You are not expected to perform tasks and take on responsibilities that a regular employee would perform and have. Think, for example, of the stereotypical example of fetching coffee, but also of teaching a class without supervision. In this case, it is a sham internship. If you perform the tasks of an employee, you are also entitled to the corresponding salary. So, if you think this is the case, let your educational institution know and, if necessary, contact a trade union for legal advice and support.
Rights
Even though you are not an employee as an intern, you are still entitled to a safe and healthy workplace. Interns are covered by the Working Conditions Act and the Working Hours Act. If you have “work from home days” as an intern, your internship company is also obliged to ensure that you have access to, for example, an ergonomic office chair. Your internship company must also ensure that you are not exposed to inappropriate behaviour and that you do not work more than 12 hours a day or 60 hours a week.
As an intern, you are not legally entitled to holiday leave or an internship allowance. They are also not obliged to reimburse your travel expenses. However, most internship agreements do contain provisions on these matters. Your educational institution often has a model internship contract that specifies these matters. Always insist on having an internship agreement, and it is advisable to have your educational institution sign it as well.
What does the LSVb do?
The LSVb is committed to securing more rights for interns. This includes national agreements to prevent internship discrimination and a mandatory internship allowance that allows students to make ends meet. Read more about the LSVb’s vision on internships on this page.