06/12/2002

Minimum wage Christmas warning

Parents of teenagers and students starting casual employment over the Christmas season have been advised to check that they are receiving the minimum wage.

Derek Alcorn, Chief Executive of the Citizens Advice Bureaux in Northern Ireland said: “Young people in temporary or casual employment are entitled to receive the National Minimum Wage and they should ensure that they are receiving their full entitlement of £3.60 per hour (18 – 21 year olds) or £4.20 per hour (22 year olds and over).

"Northern Ireland has the highest rate of non payment of the National Minimum Wage outside London. We want to make sure that those vulnerable groups, such as temporary and part time workers are aware of their rights and receive a fair and legal days pay.”

A helpline has been set up for anyone concerned over the issue and can be contacted on 0845 6500207. The helpline can advise on what steps to take to receive the correct amount or can act on a workers behalf to obtain arrears of pay owing to them and their work colleagues.

The National Minimum Wage rates increased on October 1, 2002 from £4.10 to £4.20 for 22 year olds and over and from £3.50 to £3.60 for 18 to 22 year olds.

In the year 2001/2002, NIACAB dealt with in excess of 19,000 employment-related enquiries, the majority of which were concerned with terms and conditions of employment, dismissal and redundancy.

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
21 December 2023
Seasonal Workers Urged To 'Check Their Pay'
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has urged festive workers to "check their pay" to ensure that they have been paid the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.
18 November 2024
69-Year-Old Extradited From Spain To Face Child Abuse Charges
A 69-year-old man has been extradited from Spain to stand trial Northern Ireland for child-related sexual offences that occurred in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
07 March 2007
National minimum wage to increase in October
Citizens Advice has welcomed today’s announcement that the government have accepted the latest recommendations by the Low Pay Commission to increase the rates in minimum wage again in October 2007.
25 February 2005
Minimum wage set to increase in NI
Minister for Social Development John Spellar has announced an increase in the national minimum wage for Northern Ireland in line with that announced for the UK. The adult rate of the minimum wage will increase from £4.85 to £5.05 in October this year - in line with average earnings - with a further six per cent increase to £5.35 in October 2006.