Campaign launched to help lowest paid workers understand their rights

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Feb 28, 2017

The Government has rolled out a nationwide campaign to raise lowest paid workers’ awareness of their rights ahead of the national minimum and living wage rates rise on 1 April.

It comes shortly after the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy named and shamed nearly 360 British retailers, including Debenhams and Peacocks, for failing to pay their workers the national minimum or living wage.

A new survey has found that a significant proportion of workers are confused about when they should be paid and what deductions from their pay packets can legally be made.

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Some of the most common excuses given to HMRC by employers for underpaying workers include using tips to top up pay to the minimum wage, making staff pay for their uniforms out of their salary which takes them below the legal minimum, not paying for shutting up shop or for time waiting for security checks, or the time spent travelling from one appointment to another.

“We are determined to make sure everybody in work receives a fair wage and while most employers get it right, there are still a small number who fail to play by the rules. This campaign will raise awareness among the lowest paid people in society about what they must legally receive,” said Business Minister Margot James.

The advertising campaign will be carried on public transport, in shopping centres and other public places, and roll out ahead of rates rising. From 1 April, the national living wage rate for those aged 25 and over will increase by 30p to £7.50 per hour, and the national minimum wage will increase by 10p to £7.05 per hour for 21 to 24-year-olds. Meanwhile, the rate for 18 to 20-year-olds will grow by 5p to £5.60 per hour.