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It’s time to protect our teenagers, Usdaw leader tells Labour Party Conference
29 September 2003
Vulnerable teenagers earning appalling wages must be protected by National Minimum Wage legislation, the leader of premier retail union Usdaw said today.
Speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Bournemouth, Sir Bill Connor told delegates that research carried out by his union had found some 16 and 17-year-old workers are being paid shockingly low wages, in some cases as little as £1.33 per hour.
Unions are helpless to assist this vulnerable age group because their employers are not breaking any laws. Current legislation only sets legal minimum wage rates for workers aged 18 and over – meaning millions of workers aged 16 and 17 get no legal protection on pay.
Sir Bill Connor said today: “The policies of fairness and justice that apply to our adult workforce should apply to our youngest and most vulnerable too.
“Usdaw has been pressing for protection for 16 and 17-year-olds since the minimum wage first came in. It has taken a bit of time. But I am delighted that the Government has now asked the Low Pay Commission to investigate the case for National Minimum Wage protection for 16 and 17-year-olds. I am confident that we have right on our side.”
• For more information and previous press releases visit Usdaw’s National Minimum Wage section.
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Media and Communications Department
Ph: 0161-224 2804
Fax: 0161-248 8588
Email: communications@usdaw.org.uk
Web: http://www.usdaw.org.uk
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