£5.93 National Minimum Wage
Thursday 30th
September 2010
NEW £5.93 PER
HOUR NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE RATE
FROM 1ST OCTOBER
2010
Workers in need of advice as
to whether they are getting what they are due should join GMB to be
properly represented at work
GMB welcomed the increases in the
National Minimum Wage (NMW) that are due to be introduced from
1st October 2010. The National Minimum Wage rates are to
rise from October 2010, with the minimum rate for workers aged 21
and over rising to £5.93 an hour. And for the first time a minimum
wage rate for apprentices has been set.
From 1st October 2010,
National Minimum Wage rates will increase from:
£5.80 to £5.93 an hour for workers
aged 21 and over
£4.83 to £4.92 an hour for workers
aged 18 to 20
£3.57 to £3.64 an hour for workers
aged 16 to 17
For the first time the full adult
minimum wage rate will apply to 21-year-olds. Previously the
qualifying age for the full National Minimum Wage was
22.
There will also be introduced an
apprentice minimum wage of £2.50 per hour which will apply to
apprentices under 19 and to apprentices aged 19 and over, but in
the first year of their apprenticeship.
Studies suggest that the number of
workers in jobs paid at or near the NMW are roughly 1.5 million in
the UK.
Paul Kenny GMB General Secretary said,
"The increase in the National Minimum Wage from £5.80 to
£5.93 from the 1st October
2010is welcome. The National Minimum Wage was the
crowning piece of legislation of the last Labour government and
this increase for 2010 was put in place before the general
election. It is essential that the electorate keep up the pressure
on the Tory led government not to dilute this essential protection
for ordinary workers and their families.
There are hundreds of
thousands of workers all around the economy who are facing pay
freezes and will be offered any increase to cover rising bills for
energy and fuel and food bills. GMB members who work at 750
care homes for the elderly run by Southern Cross are in this
position and GMB is in talks to change this.
Workers in jobs paid at the
level of the National Minimum Wage should be vigilant that they are
receiving their full entitlement. There are strict rules covering
deductions from pay for food and accommodation and other charges.
Workers in need of advice as to whether they are getting what they
are due should join GMB to be properly represented at
work."
Ends
Contact: Paul
Maloney, GMB Senior Organiser on 07801 343839 or Eddie Gaudie GMB
Organiser on 07740 8040 71 or Warren Kenny, GMB Senior Organiser on
07843 632394 or GMB Press Office: Steve Pryle on 07921 289880 or
Rose Conroy on 07974 251823.