Minimum wage awareness drive launched by government

17/01/2008 12:04:18

A new campaign designed to ensure that people are aware of pay laws has been launched in London.

By law, everybody employed in the UK must get paid at minimum of £3.60 per hour if they are aged between 16 and 17, £4.60 per hour if they are 18 to 21 and £5.52 per hour if they are 22 or older.

However, concerns have been raised that some people, such as those in entry level hospitality jobs in restaurants, are not clear about how much they should be earning.

The new campaign will see a bus touring 30 towns and cities across the UK to offer workers the chance to find out how much they are entitled too and ask for advice.

Pat McFadden, the minister for employment relations, said that everyone is entitled to a "fair wage for a fair day's work".

"We want to make sure workers know their rights and employers know their responsibilities," he added.

This is particularly important for people who work part-time and young people starting out in employment, many of whom are doing restaurant work, which the Hotel and Catering Training Company says is traditionally the largest employer in the hospitality sector.

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