Member Article

Tees Valley workers urged to know their wage rights

A new campaign to help boost workers’ awareness of the increased national minimum wage came to Tees Valley last week. The “It’s Your Call” campaign was launched by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson in November and is touring the UK over a three-month period, stopping off at 28 towns and cities, giving workers advice on their entitlements and how to make a complaint if they have been underpaid.

North East Minister Nick Brown said: “64,000 people in the North East benefited from the latest increase in the national minimum wage. This important campaign provides the most vulnerable workers with the face to face advice and support they need.”

Kevin Rowan, Northern TUC Regional Secretary, said: “The TUC very much welcomes the national minimum wage roadshows. The North East not only has a high proportion of workers on minimum rates but also one of the highest rates of employers who fail to meet these minimum standards.

“Employers can have no excuse for not paying a national minimum wage that has been around for 10 years, they are deliberately exploiting workers, undercutting decent employers and harming the regional economy.”

Ross Smith, head of policy and research at the North East Chamber of Commerce said: “The national minimum wage is here to stay and therefore it is important that employers take opportunities to ensure they know how it operates and can implement it effectively.”

The roadshows will have facilities to report cases of abuse, while 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.

To find out more visit www.direct.gov.uk/nmw.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .