The fashion industry does not have the best reputation when it comes to paying their workers in sweatshops. But it seems that the garment workers are not the only one’s being short-changed. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs sent a letter to 102 fashion houses that failing to pay anybody over 21 the minimum £6.08 hourly wage “could find itself bearing the brunt of enforcement measures in the New Year.”
Internships are seen as a stepping stone into the career that you want, they provide you with work experience and give you an insight into your potential career. However internships are criticised because the only people who can work for free, already come from wealthy backgrounds. This means somebody who doesn’t have the financial backing has to look at an alternative career.
Nick Edwards did an internship with a major fashion label, Nick disagrees he says "...this will cause small fashion houses to fall, and less people being able to get insider knowledge of the business because houses will hire less interns."
Nisha Soni a young person starting her career in fashion says “I think the HMRC are doing a good thing. I come from Birmingham and living in London rent and living costs are really high. I have to reconsider my decision to go into fashion as I can’t handle two jobs and do an internship at the same time.”
Whilst it's true small fashion businesses maybe hit hardest by this new rule but if we call unpaid, long hour work in India exploitation, why do we call it an internship in the UK?
What do you think? Should fashion interns be paid?
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