Subject: Unpaid Internships & Fair Work
Hi there,
I'm Ben Taylor, I don't represent anyone or anything, I'm simply a concerned Australian. Our country has long been known as a paradise for the working class. We give fair holidays and fair pay. We're a country that doesn't tip because we know the waitstaff are earning enough to support themselves.
I'm emailing you because your company is offering an unpaid internship. Under Australian law it's illegal to have an employee that works for free. In many cases unpaid internships are illegal.
It's absolutely in your right to offer an internship, you can pay them minimum wage if you like, but not paying is exploitative and discriminatory. Should a young person who is independent be forced to take a second job or live under severe financial stress just to get a chance in an industry? What about those who can't afford to do even that?