The government has this week published guidance for interns in order to help them protect their right to fair pay.

The new video and posters will attempt to explain to people leaving education and making their first step on the career ladder what their rights are in relation to the National Minimum Wage (NMW), where to go for more information and what action they can take if they feel they have been exploited.

Alongside the new guidance, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) - who enforce NMW on behalf of the government - will be sending out letters to 200 employers who have recently advertised intern opportunities and unpaid work.

The letters will alert businesses that HMRC will shortly be carrying out a series of targeted checks to make sure employers who have advertised internships are paying all their workers the correct NMW rate.

Unite the Union last week said it will also be writing to HMRC to report that a third of the UK’s top 50 charity employers (based on Charity Commission data from 2013) are signing up unpaid interns. Its evidence was collated by trawling through the website advertisements of the top charities.

Unite’s move follows its report in May, made with the Intern Aware organisation, ‘Interns in the voluntary sector – time to end exploitation’, which showed how some charities are using ambiguities in NMW legislation to avoid paying their interns.

Emma Game of Thompsons said, “It’s a positive step that action is being taken to stop companies exploiting individuals and avoiding paying fair pay. We are pleased with the announcement that the government is looking to take action.”

Anyone who feels they are being exploited should contact the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368. The government has said that any intern calling that number will prioritised by HMRC.

To access the government’s guidance, go to: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/providing-quality-internships-code-and-guidance-for-employers

To read Unite’s report, go to: http://www.unitetheunion.org/uploaded/documents/UniteInternAware11-10685.pdf

The TUC also provides advice and information for interns at http://www.rightsforinterns.org.uk/