Mark Lazarowicz MP, Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North
& Leith, has used a Parliamentary
debate to call for stronger enforcement of the national minimum
wage.
 Addressing Treasury Minister
Jane Kennedy, Mark welcomed the success of the national minimum
wage but recommended a series of proposals to ensure everyone can
benefit from the national minimum wage.
Highlighting the case of a constituent sacked by their employer
after complaining to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) enforcement
unit, Mark called for a number of changes to better protect
low-paid workers:
- Stronger enforcement – just 3 successful prosecutions have
taken place for those who disregard National Minimum Wage
regulations.
- More publicity on rights of minimum wage – a new national
campaign to raise awareness. More resources should be given to
promote the National Minimum Wage with national and regional
advertising and an on-line campaign for young workers, in addition
to targeted enforcement campaigns aimed at the hotel sector. A
boost should also be given to the advertising of the National
Minimum Wage helpline.
- More staff should be employed to enforce the national minimum
wage. Latest figures show that 12 enforcement staff are based in
Scotland.
Mark said: “The national minimum wage is one of the big success
stories of this Government. Estimates suggest that at least 1.3
million people have benefited from extra income due to the national
minimum wage, and women and part-time workers have, in particular,
benefited. But to reap the full benefits of this success story the
national minimum wage must be enforced and I hope Ministers will
look seriously at my proposals to help ensure that workers get the
wages they deserve”.
ENDS
You can read Mark’s speech, and the entire Westminster Hall
debate
here
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