DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2008/273)
issued by COI News Distribution Service. 18 November 2008
Business Secretary
Peter Mandelson will launch a new campaign today to help boost
workers' awareness of the increased national minimum wage, as
tough new penalties for employers who underpay their staff were
passed by Parliament.
The "It's Your Call" roadshow will be launched in
Downing Street before 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.
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 to Editors
1. Secretary of State for Business Peter Mandelson and Employment
Relations Minister Pat McFadden will launch the "It's
Your Call" campaign in Downing Street at 8.30am on Tuesday
18th November.
2. The campaign's visits to city centre sites will 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
3. 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.