Thousands of hard-working people in the North West who have been denied over £370,000 in pay by their employers have been directly repaid, as new figures released today reveal the latest Government crackdown on those who fail to pay the National Minimum Wage.
The findings come alongside enforcement action against businesses failing to pay their staff the legal minimum, making clear that workers won’t be made to pay for the mistakes or negligence of those they work for, regardless of how big or well-known those employers are.
New figures show a total of around £12.6 million in fines have been issued to 389 employers across the UK, coming on top of the repaid wages.
Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said:
“Workers in Manchester and Wigan shouldn’t have to chase their boss to be paid properly.
“That’s why we’re cracking down on employers who underpay. We’re making sure workers get the hard earned pay they deserve.
“I encourage every employer to check their payroll to ensure they don’t get caught out.”
Among the firms in the region that have been penalised the most
Lairds Foods Limited, Wigan, WN3, failed to pay £78,768.89 to 242 workers.
J.D. Williams & Company Limited, Manchester, M60, failed to pay £52,930.59 to 247 workers.
Wise Masterbuilders Childcare Limited, Manchester, M9, failed to pay £48,011.93 to 63 workers.
Mr R J Irving, Chorlton-Cum-Hardy, M21, failed to pay £34,861.56 to 1 worker
This is the first ‘naming round’ since the Chancellor’s Budget commitment to publish more frequently, incentivising employers to keep their payroll up to date and boosting workers’ confidence that when they’re treated poorly by their boss, swift justice will follow.
It is also the final naming round before the Fair Work Agency comes into force on 7 April, a brand-new enforcement body formed through the recently passed Employment Rights Act which will bring workers’ rights enforcement under one roof for the first time.
Offering a single, streamlined place where employers will be able to get guidance on how to follow the rules, the Fair Work Agency will have more muscle to ensure that workers across the country get every penny they are owed. This not only includes enforcing payment of the minimum wage but is soon set to tackle those who break the law by denying holiday and sick pay.
