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Citizens Advice has welcomed the Governments latest increase in the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The increase which takes effect from 1st October 2007 means that workers aged 22 and over will be entitled to £5.52 per hour and those workers aged 18-21 will receive £4.60 per hour.
Citizens Advice has welcomed the Governments latest increase in the National Minimum Wage (NMW). The increase which takes effect from 1 October 2007 means that workers aged 22 and over will be entitled to £5.52 per hour and those workers aged 18-21 will receive £4.60 per hour. In addition, the rate for 16 & 17 year old workers will be increased to £3.40 per hour.
The latest increases which are in line with recommendations from the Low Pay Commission take the minimum wage to over 50% above its 1999 introduction rate. Most workers including part-time, casual, homeworkers and agency workers are entitled to minimum wage and the policy is part of the Government’s wider policy of eradicating poverty in work.
Citizens Advice operates the National Minimum Wage Helpline in Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform. The Helpline offers impartial and confidential advice to workers and employers on all aspects of minimum wage legislation.
Diane Wilson, Project Manager said:
"The minimum wage has made a real difference to the lives of thousands of low paid workers. Citizens Advice views the minimum wage as an important economic and social right and welcomes the latest increase which will help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of low paid workers throughout Northern Ireland.
"Despite their legal obligations, many employers continue to ignore the law on minimum wage and it is important that workers do not accept underpayment. We urge anyone in this situation to contact the Helpline and receive information on how the service can help to obtain the legal hourly rate and arrears owed."
Since the introduction of the legislation the NMW Helpline has assisted over 6,000 workers throughout Northern Ireland to assert their statutory employment rights and over £2.2 million of underpaid arrears have been identified by the HMRC Compliance Team for low paid workers across the province. The Helpline are expecting a marked increase in calls to the service as workers and employers implement the latest increase.
Despite the legal obligation on employers to implement the minimum wage, Northern Ireland still remains one of the highest regions of non-compliance in the UK. The Citizens Advice run NMW Helpline aims to educate all workers and employers in Northern Ireland of the rules governing minimum wage, anyone who has questions or concerns over their pay levels can contact the NMW Helpline in confidence on 0845 6500 207.
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