Voluntary Intern - i.e. Unpaid labour for profit. - A ranty thread

Yes, even if it is a not-for-profit NGO, it still profits off your work by being able to meet donor targets with no cost. But that's a good thing, right? No. Because it skews the job market.

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Only those with the backing of existing income sources (including parents) can afford to work for free. They then pad their resume and find even better work. A candidate with similar qualifications sans that privilege, will automatically be pushed backwards in that market.

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As for profit-minded enterprises that claim 'exposure' as their currency, they are scum. Anyone who wouldn't pay a living wage, is scum. If the person's work is good enough for you to have them represent your organisation, it is good enough to qualify for a living wage.

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Worst offenders here are those organisations with the power to sign off on someone's work-experience required to complete a qualification. Bottom feeders that drain the life out of miserable workers with nothing close to a living wage. That kind of system must be dismantled.

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A proper study of how many opt out of finishing the qualification for need of decent wages in the present, despite future prospects will tell its own story.

Please, don't come up with, "but, they understand the value of our training". No, they have no other choice.

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And the ones who do, are being supported by someone else. Also, how many of these companies have a proper process in place, to see these newbies climb the ladder? Not many, yeah? Yeah!

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Let us say all your exposure is worth currency. They still need a living wage to keep up with a corporate lifestyle. If your office is 'posh' or 'modern', and your well paid staff are up-to-date in wardrobe, then woebetide the new kid trying to fit in, and their parents.

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If you have an 'office-culture' of hanging out, but not one of picking up the tab (at the very least) for the new kid, then damn him. Specially, if such socializing is part of 'being part of the team', they might as well just stay home.

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And so those companies will keep running, ostensibly, with "those that can keep up with the pressure", conveniently leaving behind the person that needed the job more.

If you are a person who does this, or are in a position to stop this from happening, think about it.

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#work #SriLanka #lka #intern #labour #exploitation #business #intern #volunteer