PRCA launches membership campaign against unpaid internships
A campaign has been launched by PR industry body the PRCA which aims at persuading its members to commit to paying interns more.
As well as increasing payment, the organisation is also asking members to sign up to its Social Mobility Business Compact, which aims to ensure that internships are ‘fairer’ and ‘more open’.
Francis Ingham, chief executive of the PRCA said: “Using interns to replace staff is short-sighted exploitation. We provide valuable counsel and should be prepared to pay those who contribute accordingly. Not doing so cheapens our profession.
“The Access Commission will, this summer, make a series of recommendations to improve the diversity of the PR industry and in particular, level the playing field for those entering the industry.”
The Social Mobility Business Compact will aim to improve skills and create jobs for young people, and will work against unpaid internships, which is claims is discriminatory against those who cannot afford to undertake them and pay their own costs.