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21/03/2003
Citizens Advice welcome minimum wage increase
The Government has accepted the recommendations from the Low Pay Commission to increase the National Minimum Wage.
From October the present rate for those 22 years and over will rise from £4.20 to £4.50 and for 18-21 years the £3.60 hourly rate will rise to £3.80.
Patricia Hewitt the Trade and Industry Secretary has indicated that she has provisionally accepted a recommendation for further increases in October 2004, increasing the rates to £4.85 and £4.10 respectively.
Joan Davis, NMW Information Officer said: "We welcome any increase in NMW rates, but the sad fact is that many workers in NI are still not receiving the Minimum Wage. It is our experience from operating the Helpline that workers continue to face difficulties accessing many employment rights, with employers choosing to ignore European legislation. We will continue to offer information and advice to enable workers to obtain their statutory rights."
Although Industry representatives once again warned of job losses, a survey by the London School of Economics concluded that the introduction of the National Minimum Wage in 1998 had only a ‘minimal’ impact on job losses. Overall the Unions were disappointed that the increase did not reach the much needed £5.00 per hour to bring Northern Ireland out of the low wage economy.
Derek Alcorn, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice said: "Although the increase is to be welcomed, we question the need for the differentiation in rates and the exclusion of 16 and 17-year-olds from this important statutory right. We need to focus on reducing poverty and improving employment practices in NI. Discriminating on the basis of age and perpetuating the low wage economy by introducing small incremental increases does not make a significant impact on the quality of life for low earners."
(MB)
From October the present rate for those 22 years and over will rise from £4.20 to £4.50 and for 18-21 years the £3.60 hourly rate will rise to £3.80.
Patricia Hewitt the Trade and Industry Secretary has indicated that she has provisionally accepted a recommendation for further increases in October 2004, increasing the rates to £4.85 and £4.10 respectively.
Joan Davis, NMW Information Officer said: "We welcome any increase in NMW rates, but the sad fact is that many workers in NI are still not receiving the Minimum Wage. It is our experience from operating the Helpline that workers continue to face difficulties accessing many employment rights, with employers choosing to ignore European legislation. We will continue to offer information and advice to enable workers to obtain their statutory rights."
Although Industry representatives once again warned of job losses, a survey by the London School of Economics concluded that the introduction of the National Minimum Wage in 1998 had only a ‘minimal’ impact on job losses. Overall the Unions were disappointed that the increase did not reach the much needed £5.00 per hour to bring Northern Ireland out of the low wage economy.
Derek Alcorn, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice said: "Although the increase is to be welcomed, we question the need for the differentiation in rates and the exclusion of 16 and 17-year-olds from this important statutory right. We need to focus on reducing poverty and improving employment practices in NI. Discriminating on the basis of age and perpetuating the low wage economy by introducing small incremental increases does not make a significant impact on the quality of life for low earners."
(MB)
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20 March 2006
Minimum Wage To Rise In October
The national minimum wage is set to increase from £5.05 to £5.35 per hour for adults from October. The rate for workers aged between 18 - 21 will increase from £4.25 to £4.45, while workers aged 16 and 17 will see their hourly rate increase from £3 to £3.30. The rises will guarantee higher pay for around 1.3 million workers.
Minimum Wage To Rise In October
The national minimum wage is set to increase from £5.05 to £5.35 per hour for adults from October. The rate for workers aged between 18 - 21 will increase from £4.25 to £4.45, while workers aged 16 and 17 will see their hourly rate increase from £3 to £3.30. The rises will guarantee higher pay for around 1.3 million workers.
30 September 2005
Minimum wage rises to £5.05 from Saturday
The increase in the National Minimum Wage will guarantee a small pay rise to more than 1.3 million workers from Saturday 1st October. The adult rate will increase from £4.85 to £5.05 per hour, while the youth rate, paid to 18-21 year-olds, will go up from £4.10 per hour to £4.25.
Minimum wage rises to £5.05 from Saturday
The increase in the National Minimum Wage will guarantee a small pay rise to more than 1.3 million workers from Saturday 1st October. The adult rate will increase from £4.85 to £5.05 per hour, while the youth rate, paid to 18-21 year-olds, will go up from £4.10 per hour to £4.25.
08 July 2003
Government beefs up minimum wage law
Under new laws designed to beef up the enforcement of the national minimum wage payments, workers can claim arrears for past as well as current employment.
Government beefs up minimum wage law
Under new laws designed to beef up the enforcement of the national minimum wage payments, workers can claim arrears for past as well as current employment.
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