Statutory Protection for Student Interns and Debarment of Companies from IHLs' Internship Programmes

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Ms Gho Sze Kee, Mountbatten

Questions

To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether students undergoing school-mandated internships, who are not typically covered by the Employment Act and the Workplace Injury Compensation Act, have any statutory protection against excessive working hours, workplace abuse and injury; and (b) if not, what recourse is available to them.

To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry is aware if companies barred by one Institute of Higher Learning (IHL) for mistreating student interns are automatically debarred from participating in internship programmes at other IHLs; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider establishing a centralised cross-IHL mechanism to prevent such companies from simply moving to another IHL to participate in internship programmes.

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Low Wu Yang Andre, Non-Constituency Member of Parliament

Question

To ask the Minister for Education in respect of students undertaking course-required internships without a contract of service and falling outside the Employment Act and Work Injury Compensation Act, whether the Government will establish minimum protections concerning working hours, rest, harassment, grievance procedures and financial protection for workplace injury.

Combined Response

1. Mr Speaker, my response will address the matters raised by members in oral Question Nos 112 and 113, as well as written Question No. 40 in today’s Order Paper.
2. Internship arrangements can be considered a contract of service or contract for service, depending on the nature of the internship. The Employment Act and Work Injury Compensation Act provide employment protections for all employees, including interns, engaged under a contract of service.
3. The Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) work closely with companies offering mandatory internships to provide a safe learning environment for their students. For example, IHLs set clear expectations for participating companies, including workplace safety, recommended allowance ranges, and maximum working hours. Students are also informed of appropriate channels in their IHLs to seek assistance on any concerns faced during the internship. In response to student feedback, IHLs may visit the student on-site and conduct regular check-ins to ensure his or her safety and wellbeing.
4. IHLs also provide insurance coverage for all students on mandatory internships.
5. IHLs have barred companies from taking on subsequent student interns for reasons such as excessive working hours, workplace abuse, and unsafe work environments. Some IHLs already share such information with their counterparts. MOE will continue to work closely with IHLs to safeguard the wellbeing of student interns.