Exposing Exploitative Practices: How Organizations Are Manipulating the PSEB’s Internship Program

Photo by https://internships.pseb.org.pk/jobs

PSEB is one of the leading IT bodies working efficiently to manage not only offshore but also outsourced IT businesses in Pakistan. It has helped many companies to survive and succeed in today’s competitive environment. On 22 July 2023, PSEB announced 3500 internships for ICT and non-ICT graduates under The Pakistan Software Export Board PSEB internship program. This internship program proves to be quite attractive for fresh graduates for several reasons including gaining and polishing their skills, getting an attractive stipend, and ultimately taking steps towards the advancement of their career. Moreover, the Government wants to give the IT industry in Pakistan a boost through this internship program.

Where the youth is looking at this internship portal as a golden opportunity and the Government is determined to revolutionize the IT sector by bringing in and training the young emerging talent in the market, the organizations, on the contrary, are doing everything in their power to manipulate and exploit this internship program. Let me share what I have witnessed in a lot of organizations which compelled me to write this all.

Fabricating entries on PSEB’s Internship Program:

PSEB offers a monthly stipend of PKR 20,000 to ICT and non-ICT graduates for internships through its portal. However, some organizations instruct employees or interns to create false entries on the portal without genuine participation. I’ve seen permanent employees misrepresented as interns to secure government funding. This manipulation distorts program statistics, filling quotas unfairly and depriving genuine applicants of rightful opportunities. It undermines the program’s integrity, favoring manipulators over sincere candidates.

Prolonging the internship periods of internees:

The PSEB’s Internship Program guidelines state that participants shouldn’t hold other employment. Recently, a friend of mine completed her internship successfully but was told it would extend to 6 months. They offered her a permanent position but insisted on labeling her as an intern on the portal. This practice not only falsifies entries on the PSEB’s Internship portal but also prolongs internships for current employees from 3 to 6 months just for government funding. However, this misrepresentation misuses resources, dilutes the program’s quality, and distorts statistics. It deprives deserving candidates of fair access and exploits government resources for personal gain.

Diminishing the real purpose of the internship program:

Legitimate applicants, both ICT and non-ICT, via the internship portal, seek valuable learning, networking, and skill development. The organization’s manipulation of portal entries not only misleads authorities but also robs authentic interns of the complete program benefits. False representation diminishes their program quality, potentially wasting government resources on illegitimate positions. It’s important to note that while these deceptive practices may not solely constitute a legal issue, they undoubtedly raise ethical concerns regarding the conduct of these organizations.

Recommendations and Conclusion:

To combat fraudulent activities, ensuring authenticity on the PSEB’s Internship Portal through rigorous verification processes and periodic audits is crucial. Penalties for misrepresentation, transparent reporting of intern data, and fostering an ethical culture within organizations are vital. Collaboration between Government bodies, organizations, and interns is essential to uphold program integrity and deter exploitation. Transparency, checks and balances, and a culture of honesty will safeguard the program’s purpose of nurturing talent. Upholding integrity, honesty, and fairness within the PSEB’s Internship Program transcends mere legality; it speaks to the ethical responsibilities of these organizations towards nurturing genuine talent and fostering a culture of trust and transparency.