UNPAID internships should be banned in Scotland MSPs have said.
The call came after a report from the UK's Social Mobility Commission, chaired by former cabinet Alan Milburn, called for an end to unpaid internships, arguing that work placements lasting more than four weeks should be paid at the minimum wage.
Labour MSP Richard Leonard, a shadow economy minister, said unpaid internships increased career opportunities for young people from wealthy backgrounds at the expense of the less well off.
Leonard, a former organiser for the GMB trade union in Scotland, said: "This is access to the jobs market based on ability to pay. It heightens inequality and by preventing those with the financial means to buy their way in to internships we strike a blow for equality.
"I do not deny that the goal of equality may appear at times to be elusive but that should never deter us from pursuing it."
Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said that as those doing internships were obliged to work contracted hours and fulfill duties for their employer they should be paid a proper rate for the job.
Powers over employment law are reserved to Westminster, although the Scottish Government said it did not offer unpaid internships to those without any sources of income.
A UK Government spokesperson said: "It is simply not right that some companies are using internships as a source of cheap or free labour – personal means or social background should not be a barrier to accessing the labour market," Adding: "That is why, where an intern is classed as a worker, they must be paid at least the statutory minimum wage."
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