Govt will not implement policy on internships, says Anwar

The government will not implement a clear policy on internships, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said this was because the terms of internship programmes could not be forced upon companies.

However, he said although it was not compulsory, companies should provide reasonable allowances to their interns.

“We understand that internships are not a normal job, but give them (interns) a reasonable allowance for their food and fares.

“On behalf of all students who want to convey their complaints, hopefully, there is a good reception in giving more allowances,” he said during the launch of the Capital Market Graduate Programme at the Securities Commission headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Yesterday, Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar said his ministry will look into the issue of allowances for students undergoing industrial training following reports that certain interns were not getting allowances.

Malaysiakini previously reported on a public university student who had spent several days with a sandwich board that reads “interns are not free labour”.

Rashifa Aljunied, 24, who will be undergoing industrial training in her October semester, was worried about how she is going to survive during that period.

With the rising cost of living, Rashifa said it is a must for interns to be paid and urged the government to issue clear guidelines on the position of interns.

On June 7, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman urged the government to introduce a new law to make it mandatory for public and private sector employers to pay interns and those undergoing industrial training. - Mkini