March 30 2009
Local people set to benefit from increased holiday entitlement
Emma Hoddinott, one of Labour’s European election candidates for Yorkshire & Humber, and John Healey MP highlight the value of the Minimum Wage to a full time worker over the last ten years.
Ten years since the introduction of the national minimum wage, John Healey MP and European election candidate Emma Hoddinott are letting local people know that the law has been strengthened to increase minimum holiday entitlements.
From this Wednesday, April 1st, everyone in full time work is entitled to at least 28 days holiday, including bank holidays. Part time workers are entitled to the same minimum on a pro-rata basis.
The same day marks the ten year anniversary of the National Minimum Wage Act coming into force. Starting off at £3.60 back in 1999, the minimum wage has now risen to £5.73 an hour.
John Healey sat on the legislative committee that helped bring in the National Minimum Wage, just after he became MP in 1997.
He said: “The National Minimum Wage is taken for granted now but it was hard fought 10 years ago. We had to sit through the night three times as the Tories tried to block it. They fought it tooth and nail.
“The minimum wage may not not be a fortune but for the first time ever there is a legal floor under the wages employers can pay to staff.
“And we are coming down hard on employers who underpay staff. Since the National Minimum Wage was introduced in 1999 the government has returned over £30m in unpaid wages to more than 100,000 workers and last year we introduced tough new penalties – unlimited fines in the most serious cases.”
Emma Hoddinott said: “At this tough time for the economy, people are working hard and their holiday is more precious than ever. This latest increase in holiday entitlement means that local people are closer to enjoying the same holiday rights as their continental counterparts. It is a good example of how local working people have really benefited from European Social Chapter rules that protect minimum standards – like minimum holiday entitlement – right across the EU.”
For confidential advice or to register a complaint about underpayment phone the National Minimum Wage helpline on 0845 6000 678.