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United Nations comes under fire on Twitter for posting an unpaid internship ad

United Nations comes under fire on Twitter for posting an unpaid internship ad

That awkward moment when the UN talks about labour exploitation and then posts an ad for a full-time unpaid internship.
18 Jan, 2020

For a young adult at the beginning of her/his career, working with a prestigious body like the United Nations (UN) would be a dream come true.

And every year, the UN plays host to thousands of interns around the world. But how is a person supposed to survive for two, three, even six months without any pay? Unpaid internships are exclusionary and classist and it is especially shocking when this kind of lack of diversity exists in an institution that is supposed to champion representation and social equality.

Funnily enough, Article 23 of the organisation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights is literally "Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity".

So when the organisation posted about yet another unpaid internship (a full-time gig that could go on for three months and requires one to be enrolled in a Master's program no less) on their Twitter account, people were quick to point out the hypocrisy:

That awkward moment when the UN harps on about labour exploitation and then refuses to pay its interns...

The UN, which has its headquarters in New York, doesn't seem to care about how someone will survive without remuneration in one of the most expensive cities in the world

And this has been a pattern for a while

Also, not only is it wrong but it is also against the law

Pay your interns or don't have interns sounds about fair to us

Comments

Pakistan Lover Jan 18, 2020 03:15pm
Courtesy to Sumaira Sawlani: "Another unpaid internship from the UN. Unpaid internships are mainly an option for those from privileged backgrounds- ensuring that this sector remains out of reach for those that don’t have the luxury of working for free. Ironic considering what the UN claims to stand for." Mind blowing assessment and very true
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Hassan Jan 18, 2020 03:32pm
To be honest, I would love to work for United Nations, even without pay......
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Pakistan Lover Jan 18, 2020 04:27pm
@Hassan Saying is easy than done. lol
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