Hackney promotes National Minimum Wage with local campaign

Hackney is taking part in the national campaign to help boost workers’ awareness of the increased national minimum wage by launching its own borough-wide poster campaign, starting this week.  

The posters follow last Friday’s (February 6^th) visit of the National Minimum Wage Roadshow to Hackney’s Ridley Road Market.  Hackney’s Deputy Mayor, Karen Alcock, and Cllrs Guy Nicholson and Linda Smith joined the Roadshow at lunchtime to support the campaign.

Cllr Karen Alcock said "I am pleased that Hackney is supporting the campaign to ensure that everyone is being paid the National Minimum Wage. It is a national standard of employment rights for every worker, and I strongly urge staff and employers alike to find out more about the new rates if they haven’t already done so.”

From this week (February 9^th), posters and flyers asking people Are you being paid at least the minimum wage?  will be sent to public buildings such as leisure centres and libraries, police stations and Council reception areas.  They will also go on display at outdoor sites such as parks and the Town Hall Square.

Please click here for a pdf version (134KB)

The Government set a new national minimum wage on 1^st October 2008, making it illegal for employers to pay workers any less than £5.73 per hour for those aged 22 or over.  The minimum amount depends on age, with those aged 16-17 entitled to be paid at least £3.53 per hour, and those aged 18-21, at least £4.77 per hour.

These amounts apply whether workers are employed by an agency; work indoors, outdoors or from home; work part-time or as a casual worker; or are paid a piece-rate.  Anyone who is not being paid at least the national minimum can report their employer confidentially at the National Minimum Wage helpline:  0845 6000 678 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

The campaign is being run jointly by Hackney Council and Team Hackney, the local strategic partnership.

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

09.02.2009