Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP
West Edinburgh Times (Minimum wage & fines for non payment)
Ten years ago it was perfectly legal for an employer to pay workers so little that they depended upon the benefits system to make ends meet. There was no Minimum Wage to protect workers from unscrupulous employers.
Today 1.2 million people benefit from the Minimum Wage. However, there are still some employers who are breaking the law by not paying the Minimum Wage. That’s why the Government has introduced a measure that will ensure that employers who don’t pay the Minimum Wage could face a fine of £200 for every worker they had underpaid. They already have to pay back the arrears of wages they owe.
I believe that people have the right to a decent minimum wage and we are determined that they get it. To those employers avoiding the Minimum Wage the message is if you don’t pay it then you’ll pay the fine. In the last year alone the Government’s enforcement teams across the country helped over 25000 workers get more than £3million back in unpaid wages. The vast majority of good employers need to know they are operating on a level playing field. It’s simply not fair if they are undercut by unscrupulous rivals.
Employers who fail to pay the Minimum Wage can also face prosecution risking a criminal record and a £5000 fine. There are cases currently being investigated and will shortly be subject to criminal proceedings.
It’s all part of making sure that there is fairness at work and that people are properly paid for what they do. Of course most people get paid more than the Minimum Wage but the introduction of the Minimum Wage which was fiercely resisted for so many years has made a big difference for many, many people.
We now need to move on to make sure that the minority of employers who don’t pay it are dealt with. If you want advice or have information in relation to people who are not paying the Minimum Wage then there is a helpline on 0845 6000678 which is open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. All calls are taken in strict confidence.
There are 16 teams around the country dedicated to making sure workers receive their entitlement – 61,000 calls were made to the helpline last year.
The Minimum Wage is here and here to stay and has brought immense benefit. We now need to make sure that everyone who should benefit does benefit.
