12th August 2008
LABOUR CANDIDATE SAYS "NO EXCUSE NOT TO PAY UP"
Donna Hutton, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Clwyd West constituency, has welcomed the Government’s announcement on fair tips and the minimum wage and calls for rogue employers who con staff to be exposed.
July marked 10 years since Labour voted to introduce the National Minimum Wage in 1998. When it came in ten years ago people like David Cameron strongly opposed it. The Tories said the minimum wage would cost the country 2 million jobs. The reality is totally different. An extra 2.3 million jobs have actually been created since then. Nearly one million low paid employees, two thirds of them women, have benefited from the National Minimum Wage.
Donna Hutton said: "When families in towns like Colwyn Bay, Ruthin and Abergele are struggling with rising fuel, energy and food prices it is more important than ever that there is a basic floor of decency underpinning the labour market.
Looking back I think the minimum wage is one of Labour's proudest achievements in Government.
The next step is the announcement at the end of July that the Government intends to change the current minimum wage rules on tipping, to ensure that in the future tips will be additional to the Minimum Wage.
Dealing with this is a matter of fairness and common sense. When we go to a restaurant or to have our haircut and we leave a tip, we expect it to go to the staff member in addition to their pay, not to go through the payroll to make up the Minimum Wage.
This move will benefit workers in service industries throughout the constituency, people we all rely on, but who often don’t have the strongest voice. Changing the rules will build on the success of the Minimum Wage and be a step forward for decency and fairness at work.“
"With the National Minimum Wage there is no excuse not to pay up. If anyone thinks a rogue employer is not paying up then get in touch with me on 07874 042486 or call the national minimum wage helpline on 0845 6000 678."
ENDS.