Midlands TUC welcomes government drive on minimum wage in Coventry

The Midlands TUC has welcomed a government initiative to raise awareness of the National Minimum Wage in Coventry. The visit will take place on Wednesday 21st January when a team of National Minimum Wage Ambassadors will set out their stall by the Godiva Statue on Bank Street.

Midlands TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: “We are glad to see that the Government is taking a proactive stance on the minimum wage and is bringing the message home in Coventry. Trade unions are absolutely determined to ensure that all workers can get their rights and that is particularly so at a time when many workers are feeling vulnerable at work. There must be no hiding place for rogue employers who cheat their workers and we are pleased that new penalties are to be introduced for employers who flout the law”.

Royal Assent for the Employment Act has paved the way for new penalties to come into force in April, as part of government’s crackdown on those who try to exploit workers. The changes introduce unlimited fines for non-compliance for the most serious cases, removing the maximum limit of £5,000.

The roadshows will have facilities to report cases of abuse, while fully trained staff will be on the spot to give expert face-to-face advice. Visitors to the events will also hear local people tell their stories of underpayment and the help they received tackling wage abuse.

More than one million people across the UK benefit from annual rises in the National Minimum Wage. On October 1st, rates rose to £5.73 for workers aged 22 and over; £4.77 for 18-21 year olds and £3.53 for those aged 16 and 17.

Anyone worried they may not be getting the National Minimum Wage can call the NMW helpline on 0845 6000 678. Support is offered in more than 100 languages and callers can remain anonymous if they wish.