TUC shocked by 35,000 rise in young people not being paid the minimum wage

Commenting on new government figures published, which show that since 2010 the number of 16-20 year-olds illegally not being paid the minimum wage has increased by 35,000 (52 per cent), TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“These shocking figures highlight once again why we must put more resources into catching minimum wage cheats. Rogue bosses who knowingly set out to underpay their workers must be publicly named and shamed.

“Young people are particularly at risk of being swindled and there must be no hiding places for companies who seek to exploit them.”

The TUC this week published a 10-point plan to improve minimum wage enforcement during the next parliament. Recommendations include hiring more inspectors and publicly naming and shaming all non-payers of the minimum wage.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Number of 16-20 year-olds people not paid the minimum wage

2010	2014	Change	Change (per cent)
67,000	102,000	+35,000	+52

Source: Final government evidence for the Low Pay Commission’s 2015 Report

– A full copy of the report can be found at http://tinyurl.com/myll7ge

– The TUC’s 10-point minimum wage enforcement plan can be found at http://tinyurl.com/l73shn3