Many employers take on Work Experience workers to give the individuals experience of the workplace and an insight into the working environment for when they leave full time education.
Sadly, some employers abuse the system and use schemes to avoid paying employees, something which could be considered slave labour.
Starting with the House of Lords, a Bill has begun its passage through Parliament which will, on becoming law, ensure:
There is a maximum period of unpaid work experience of 4 weeks Workers who cease to be of compulsory school age and doing work experience will be entitled to the relevant National Minimum Wage.The Unpaid Work Experience (Prohibition) Bill will amend the National Minimum Wage Act 1998 in due course.
Although employment law in Northern Ireland is devolved to the Northern Assembly, this legislation will apply to the whole of the UK.
