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TUC hits out at increase of apprentices paid below the minimum wage

The TUC yesterday (Thursday) reacted with disappointment to new figures from the Apprenticeship Pay Survey 2016, which show an increase in the proportion of apprentices not paid the full minimum wage they are due.

The survey reveals that 18% of apprentices were paid less than the minimum wage rate they were entitled to in 2016, up from 15% in 2014.

The top five offending sectors have all seen increases in non-compliance:

  1. Hairdressing: 46% paid below NMW in 2016, up from 42% in 2014
  2. Childcare: 27% paid below NMW in 2016, up from 26% in 2014
  3. Construction: 25% paid below NMW in 2016, up from 21% in 2014
  4. Electrotechnical: 23% paid below NMW in 2016, up from 17% in 2014
  5. Health, social care and sport: 17% paid below NMW in 2016, up from 12% in 2014

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“It is shocking that so many apprentices are being cheated out of the pay they have earned. Bosses in hairdressing and childcare are the worst offenders – meaning that thousands of young women are being denied their legal rights.

“Workers at the start of their working life are entitled to be paid the national minimum wage. Ministers must urgently find the employers responsible for breaking the law, name them publicly and prosecute them.”

Notes to Editors:

Contacts:

Press Office  T: 020 7467 1248  E: media@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter  T: 020 7467 1285  M: 07887 572130  E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk
Tim Nichols  T: 020 7467 1388  M: 07808 761844  E: tnichols@tuc.org.uk
Elly Gibson (Mon to Thurs) T: 020 7467 1337  M: 07900 910624  E: egibson@tuc.org.uk
Michael Pidgeon  T: 020 7467 1372  M: 07717 531150  E: mpidgeon@tuc.org.uk

 

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