Yes, employers don't want to pay their interns; they don't see us as equals in the workforce. We're seen as just learning and not having that much skill to contribute, so we're not entitled to the same wage as everyone else. This is just another way for them to exploit us and take advantage of the fact that we're young and inexperienced. We do contribute an equal amount to the workforce, and to make sure that we have equal pay there needs to be legislation to protect us.
Often when you say that you do it for course credit, then you fall under the policy of the university, but that still leaves you in the loop of other policies that can't protect you against other things.
Without the wage, so many students are at a disadvantage. Either programs need to be in place that subsidize internships so all of them are paid, or legislation that protects those initial employment opportunities for us.