Unpaid internships: Uni student speaks against exploitation

The issue of allowances for students undergoing their industrial attachments is still debated to this day, with public university student Rashifa Aljunied, 24, airing her grievances on Twitter.

She proclaimed that “interns are not free labour” and it is unfair they are not paid or protected.

“I want to fight for this issue because I believe interns should be paid and protected in Malaysia.

“I also want to raise awareness among students that it is unfair if they are not paid,” she said when contacted by Malaysiakini.

The international and strategic studies major made her opinion heard after seeing industrial training positions offering a small allowance, while some are not compensated at all.

Rashifa, who will be undergoing industrial training in the coming semester in October, was worried about how she could survive during that period.

“Many interns face financial challenges because they have to bear the cost of transportation, food, and accommodation while undergoing industrial training.

“My accommodation alone is already RM300 and if the allowance is also RM300, how am I to pay for transportation and daily necessities?” she asked.

She also heard of unpleasant experiences from her peers who had undergone industrial training in medicine and teaching.

“I understand that the exposure and experience are important but they work up to 12 hours a day so it makes no sense if they are not paid at all.

“Some need to buy things using their own money for learning and teaching purposes while being practical teachers,” she said.

‘Govt should intervene’

With the rising cost of living in the country, Rashifa said it is a must for interns to be paid and pertinent for the government to issue clear guidelines on the position of interns - regardless of whether they are employees or students.

“The government needs to provide a clear policy in providing the minimum amount of allowance so that companies can refer to this guideline.

“I strongly believe that the government should intervene in this matter,” she stressed.

She said not only do interns need to be compensated financially, but they also lack legal protection under the Employment Act.

“Interns have the right to a safe and fair working environment and also appropriate working hours by setting a legal framework to protect them so that we can prevent them from being exploited by companies,” she said.

She staged a peaceful demonstration by parading around her university, sporting a placard that read “interns are not free labour”.

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.

“We can do two things, either we amend the Employment Act or we create new laws that make this mandatory,” he was reported as saying.

The Muda president also hoped the government would consider this in the next budget tabling. - Mkini