Right now, across Europe, 3.1 million young people are working in traineeships. Half of them are unpaid.

They aren't just "learning," they are doing the work of full-time employees without the paycheck, the rights, or the protection. For years, young people have been used as a source of cheap, disposable labour, trapped in a cycle of "experience" that doesn't pay the rent.

We are at a breaking point.

In 2024, a "Quality Traineeship Directive" was proposed to finally ban unpaid exploitation. But for two years, national governments have stalled. They are choosing loopholes over livelihoods, and "flexibility" over fairness.

The Countdown: May 5th

On May 5th, decision-makers are meeting to determine the future of this Directive. If we don’t demand ambition now, we risk another decade of legal poverty for young workers.

National ministers need to feel the pressure today. We cannot afford to wait.

Work is work. It's time to pay us.