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Friday, 4 September 2009

Employment

Employment

The National Minimum Wage rates

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is a minimum amount per hour that most workers in the UK are entitled to be paid. If you are being paid below the NMW you can contact the Pay and Work Rights helpline for confidential help.

Current NMW rates

There are different levels of NMW, depending on your age. The current rates are:

  • £5.73 an hour for adults (workers aged 22 and over)
  • £4.77 an hour for workers aged 18 to 21 inclusive (often known as the developmental rate)
  • £3.53 an hour for young people (often known as the youth rate)

A young worker is someone who is older than mandatory school leaving age and younger than 18.

If you are 'compulsory school age' (still mandatory school age) you are not entitled to the NMW. Some of your other employment rights are also different.

Future NMW rates

The NMW rate is reviewed every year and any changes take place on 1 October.

The rates from 1 October 2009 will be:

  • £5.80 an hour for adults (workers aged 22 and over)
  • £4.83 an hour for workers aged 18 to 21 inclusive
  • £3.57 an hour for young people

Entitlement to the NMW

Pay and Work Rights helpline

For confidential help and advice on the NMW call 0800 917 2368

Most workers in the UK over compulsory school leaving age are legally entitled to be paid at least the NMW and all employers have to pay it to you if you are entitled to it. It makes no difference:

  • if you are paid weekly or monthly, by cheque, in cash or in another way
  • if you work full time, part time or any other working pattern
  • if you work at your employer’s own premises or elsewhere
  • what size your employer is
  • where you work in the UK

You are entitled to the NMW even if you sign a contract agreeing to be paid at a lower rate, either of your own free will or because your employer persuades or makes you. The contract will have no legal effect and you must still be paid the proper rate.

Foreign language guides

You can download guides on the NMW in foreign languages. If you contact the Pay and Work Rights helpline they can give confidential help and advice in over 100 different languages.

Where to get help

The Pay and Work Rights gives confidential help and advice on the NMW and can handle calls in over 100 languages. If you aren’t being paid the NMW you can make a complaint to the helpline.

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