There must be a legally required minimum internship allowance.

There must be a legally required minimum internship allowance.

There must be a legally required minimum internship allowance. That is what a majority of the house of representatives thinks.

Earlier the house of representatives spoke with the education ministers about the education budget for 2024. We already wrote this news article about that. In the debate some motions were submitted that were now also voted on. These include several notable tasks for the ministers. For example, the house of representatives wants them to discuss the continuous schedule, to investigate abolishing the parental contribution, and to look into a legally required internship allowance.

Legally required minimum internship allowance 

Multiple parties asked in the debate for attention to the internship allowance. Many students do not receive it at the moment. Member Luc Stultiens (GroenLinks-PvdA) noted that 16% of mbo students and 44% of hbo and wo students do not receive an internship allowance. That is why he submitted a motion together with Doğukan Ergin (DENK) to let the ministers research introducing a legally required minimum allowance for internships. This plan also had the support of a majority of the members. 

Good step

Earlier the house of representatives already asked the ministers to make clear agreements about fair internship allowances with student unions, schools and employers. But these parties were not yet legally obliged. That the house of representatives now asks for a minimum internship allowance in the law does not yet mean that there will immediately be an allowance for all students. However it is a good step towards fair pay for all students.  

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