The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is asking for views on a proposal for an EU directive aimed at improving and protecting the working conditions of trainees.

The traineeships directive, proposed by the European Commission, is also aimed at tackling regular employment relationships that are disguised as traineeships.

The directive lays down a common framework of principles and measures to improve and enforce the working conditions of trainees.

Employment rights

It includes requirements for effective inspections and enforcement of EU law applicable to trainees.

Announcing the public consultation, Minister Peter Burke said that the EU measure had the potential to ensure that trainees were fully provided with the employment rights to which they are entitled, and to enable competent authorities to detect and address cases of regular employment being disguised as traineeships.

The public consultation document is available on the department’s website, and the closing date for submissions is Friday 30 August (5pm).