Interns could claim unpaid wages

According to the How Do web site an Employment Tribunal ruling means that unpaid interns could now be entitled to claim back the national minimum wage, even if they originally agreed to work for nothing.

The National Union of Journalists is also calling on fellow unions and organisations opposed to free internships to join its campaign to end them.
“We will play our part in the campaign to bring exploitative employers to book, using minimum wage legislation and other legal means, to steadily change internship culture from one of exploitation to one of genuine learning opportunities,” said NUJ general secretary, Jeremy Dear.
The crucial case came in November last year, when the Reading Employment Tribunal ruled in favour of an intern who worked for a production company in London. Despite agreeing only to receive expenses, she later decided to seek payment after the internship ended. The tribunal recognised that a worker is entitled to the National Minimum Wage - whether or not they have agreed to work for nothing.
It potentially opens the door to anyone who has worked as an unpaid intern, to recover up to £232 per 40-hour week.
Interns could claim unpaid wages “This practice continues to exploit dreams and exclude new talent, undermining the diversity of our profession, just when we should be nurturing and supporting the people coming into the industry,” continued Dear.
To recover the minimum wage through an Employment Tribunal, you would have to make the claim no later than 3 months after a payment would have been due.
Should you fall beyond this, yet within 6 years of finishing the internship, you can apply through the county courts.
This ruling does not apply to students on work experience placements.