Yorkshire workers urged to know their wage rights
Employee Management Articles
Submit Articles Back to Articles
10 Dec 2008 15:23
A new campaign to help boost workers' awareness of the increased national
minimum wage comes to Yorkshire this week.
The "It's Your Call" roadshow was launched in Downing Street by Business
Secretary Peter Mandelson in November and is touring the UK over a three month
period, stopping off at 28 towns and cities, giving workers advice on their
entitlements and how to make a complaint if they have been underpaid.
Roadshows are being held in Leeds on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th
December, Huddersfield on Friday 12th December and Sheffield on Saturday 13th
and Sunday 14th December.
Royal Assent for the Employment Act has paved the way for new penalties to
come into force in April, as part of government's crackdown on those who try to
exploit workers.
Lord Mandelson said:
"The minimum wage was introduced when I was Secretary of State for Trade and
Industry 10 years ago and I am so proud to see the difference it has made to the
lives of millions of hard working people across the UK.
"More than one million workers benefited from its increase last month and
it's important that we make sure everyone knows what they're entitled to, that's
what this campaign is all about.
"Of course, most businesses treat staff fairly, but the small number who
cheat their workers are flouting the law and undercutting honest competitors.
"Our changes will make sure everyone caught not paying their workers properly
faces a stiff penalty - we are determined to ensure workers are paid fairly."
The changes introduce unlimited fines for non-compliance for the most serious
cases, removing the maximum limit of £5,000.
The roadshows will have facilities to report cases of abuse, while fully
trained staff will be on the spot to give expert face-to-face advice.
Visitors to the events will also hear local people tell their stories of
underpayment and the help they received tackling wage abuse.
More than one million people across the UK benefit from annual rises in the
National Minimum Wage. On October 1st, rates rose to £5.73 for workers aged 22
and over; £4.77 for 18-21 year olds and £3.53 for those aged 16 and 17.
Anyone worried they may not be getting the National Minimum Wage can call the
NMW helpline on 0845 6000 678 (or 0845 6500 207 from Northern Ireland). Support
is offered in more than 100 languages and callers can remain anonymous if they
wish.
Notes
1. The roadshows will be held in Dortmund Square, Leeds on Wednesday 10th and
Thursday 11th December; Macauley Street, Huddersfield on Friday 12th December;
and The Moor, Sheffield, on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th December.
2. Secretary of State for Business Peter Mandelson and Employment Relations
Minister Pat McFadden launched the "It's Your Call" campaign in Downing Street
on Tuesday 18th November.
3. The campaign's visits to city centre sites include:
* Cardiff, Bristol, Swansea, Edinburgh and Glasgow in November
* Leeds, Huddersfield and Sheffield in December
* Peterborough, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and
Newcastle in January
* Plymouth, Portsmouth and London in February
4. The Employment Act has now gained Royal Assent. Its measures, which are
due to come into force in April 2009, include:
* Removal of the limit on maximum fines for underpayment of the national
minimum wage, currently £5,000.
* The most serious cases of non-compliance will be tried at Crown Court, which
can impose an effectively unlimited penalty
* Introducing a fairer way of dealing with national minimum wage arrears,
calculated so workers do not lose out.
5. For more information on the minimum wage, visit
http://www.direct.gov.uk/nmw.
Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
7th Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET
Public enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215 6740 (for those with hearing impairment)
http://www.berr.gov.uk
About the Author
© Crown Copyright. Material taken from the BERR- Department
for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform replacing DTI - Department for
Trade and Industry. Reproduced under the terms and conditions of the Click-Use
Licence.
Follow us @Scopulus_News
Article Published/Sorted/Amended on Scopulus 2008-12-11 21:58:48 in Employee Articles
