A union is calling for a £12 minimum wage and an 'end to rip-off youth rates' as the Low Pay Commission visits Belfast.
USDAW, which represents retail trade workers, is taking a Northern Ireland delegation to give evidence at a LPC hearing on Thursday.
From April 1, 2023 the minimum wage was set at £10.42 for those over 23 - this is also the National Living Wage which is based on the actual cost of living.
People aged 21-22 get less at £10.18 an hour and 18 to 20-year-olds just £7.49 an hour. Those aged 16-17 are paid an hourly rate of just £5.28, with apprentices paid the same.
Read more: NI businesses 'named and shamed' for failing to pay National Minimum Wage
The LPC's annual evidence gathering informs recommendations they will make to the Government this autumn about the new minimum wage rates expected to come into force on April 1, 2024.
They are meeting workers and businesses in Belfast on June 6 and 7 as part of the process.
Usdaw's regional officer for Northern Ireland, Mike Aylward, said: “We welcome the opportunity to bring a panel of Northern Ireland workers to the Low Pay Commission hearing in Belfast. The commissioners will hear first-hand how many workers are reaching breaking point, with inflation remaining in double figures for over a year.
"That’s why we need a new deal for workers that provides the highest possible increase to the minimum wage and more secure employment.
“We are calling on the Low Pay Commission to be ambitious with this year’s recommendation. Workers are suffering high price rises across a range of essentials, especially food, which impacts every household. Regardless of whether the rate inflation starts to drop, there is no sign of the pressure on working people easing, as wages continue to lag behind rising prices, dragging living standards down.
“Usdaw is calling for next year’s minimum wage to be at least £12 per hour as a step towards £15 for all workers, ending rip-off youth rates. If you’re old enough to do the job, you’re old enough to be paid the rate for the job. We are also looking to the LPC to reiterate their previous recommendation for workers to have the right to switch to a contract reflecting hours worked, to tackle one-sided flexibility.”
Usdaw’s call for a New Deal for Workers includes:
- Minimum wage of at least £12 per hour immediately, as a step towards £15 for all workers, ending rip-off youth rates.
- Minimum contract of 16 hours per week, for everyone who wants it, that reflects normal hours worked and a ban on zero-hour contracts.
- Better sick pay for all workers, from day one, at average earnings.
- Protection at work, respect for shopworkers, abuse is not a part of the job.
- Proper social security system, Universal Credit does not provide an effective safety net.
- Job security, with day one employment rights for unfair dismissal and significant improvements to redundancy protections.
- Fair treatment and equality for all workers, including equal pay.
- Voice at work, stop rogue employers refusing to engage with trade unions and end ‘fire and rehire’.
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