Ombudsman: System of unpaid trainees in EU foreign delegations should end

Date of article: 17/02/2017

Daily News of: 20/02/2017

Country:  EUROPE

Author: European Ombudsman

Article language: en

Following a complaint from a young EU trainee, the European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, has recommended that the European External Action Service (EEAS) pay all of its trainees an appropriate allowance to allow greater access for young people of all backgrounds.

The EEAS has almost 800 trainees in its delegations around the world whose full time services are not remunerated.

The trainees must cover all of their costs including accommodation, travel and health insurance, a system which clearly discriminates against many young people with limited means.

The Ombudsman says that the allowance should ensure that young people will be encouraged to apply for a traineeship irrespective of their financial status.

“Traineeships in what is in effect the EU’s foreign service can be a significant stepping stone in young people’s careers and should be available to as broad a range of people as possible,” said Ms O’Reilly.

Unpai

Read more