Revealed: East Midlands companies underpaying minimum wage workers
The Government has today (9 March) named and shamed nearly 180 employers for underpaying more than 9,000 minimum wage workers by £1.1 million – including 10 businesses in the East Midlands.
Restaurant chain Wagamama has been named as the biggest offender, failing to pay £133,212.42 to 2,630 workers.
East Midlands companies underpaying minimum wage workers are:
– Mr Nigel Birch and Mrs Sarah Shotton, trading as Oasis Hair & Bodycare, Mansfield, which failed to pay £2,818.99 to 16 workers
– Little Footprints Nursery Limited, Leicester, which failed to pay £1,760.15 to 1 workers
– Cedar Tree Care Home Ltd, Derby, which failed to pay £1,531.99 to 11 workers
– Independent Community Care Management Limited, Kettering, which failed to pay £1,301.82 to 14 workers
– Crystal Knitwear Limited, Mansfield, which failed to pay £1,144.48 to 6 workers
– Focus Food Services Limited, Chesterfield, which failed to pay £1,007.73 to 6 workers
– Redhill Service Centre Limited, Gedling, which failed to pay £825.24 to 1 worker
– Shoe Zone Retail Limited, Leicester, which failed to pay £804.88 to 15 workers
– Sanjay Foods (UK) Limited, Leicester, which failed to pay £719.18 to 6 workers
– MRN Recruitment Limited, South Holland, which failed to pay £628 to 265 workers
As well as recovering backpay for 9,200 workers, the Government also fined the employers a total of £1.3 million in penalties for breaking national minimum wage laws. The most prolific offending sectors in this round were retailers, hospitality businesses and hairdressers.
Business Minister Andrew Griffiths said: “The world of work is changing and we have set out our plans to give millions of workers enhanced rights to ensure everyone is paid and treated fairly in the workplace.
“There are no excuses for short-changing workers. This is an absolute red line for this Government and employers who cross it will get caught – not only are they forced to pay back every penny but they are also fined up to 200% of wages owed.
“Today’s naming round serves as a sharp reminder to employers to get their house in order ahead of minimum wage rate rises on 1 April.”
Bryan Sanderson, Chairman of the Low Pay Commission, said: “As the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates rise on 1 April, it is vital that workers understand their rights, and employers their obligations.
“The Low Pay Commission is pleased to see the Government maintaining the momentum of its minimum wage enforcement.
“The recent announcement that all workers will have a right to payslips stating the hours they have worked – an idea originally proposed by the LPC – is a positive step.”
