Minimum wage law

Minimum wage law came into force on the 1^st April 1999. Currently, the minimum wage law states that there are three rates of pay that all employers must pay. These minimum rates of pay are:

16-17 year olds must be paid £3.53 per hour
18-21 year olds must be paid £4.77 per hour
Anyone over 21 must be paid £5.73 per hour

Note that the minimum wage rates will change from 1^st October 2009. The new rates will be:

16-17 year olds must be paid £3.57 per hour
18-21 year olds must be paid £4.83 per hour
Anyone over 21 must be paid £5.80 per hour

The changes to minimum wage law also cover any workers that get tips or other service charges. From 1^st October it will be illegal to include these payments under minimum wage law.

Minimum wage law also only applies to adult workers. An adult worker is defined under minimum wage law as:

Anyone that works from home
Piece workers
Casual labourers
Agency workers
Part-time workers

The number of hours that an adult worker must work to qualify for the minimum wage will be determined by the job they are doing. It is illegal for an employer to manipulate the hours their employees are working to avoid paying the minimum wage.

If you feel that your employer is not applying the minimum wage law properly, you can take them to an employment tribunal. You should never attempt to fight your case alone. Your trade union, if you have a membership, should be able to provide you with legal representation. If you are not a union member you should still get a solicitor that is skilled in employment law to represent you.

If you would like to obtain legal advice about the minimum wage, Contact Law can put you in touch with a local specialist employment law solicitor free of charge. So, if you have any questions or would like our help in finding local employment law solicitors please call us on 0800 1777 162 or complete the web-form above.