By Andrew Young-
The UK government has named and shamed hundreds of cheating employers who have paid their workers less than the minimum wage.
Amongst them were retail giants, Debenhams, accused of failing to pay about 135,000 to almost 12,000 workers.
Over 350 businesses were named for underpaying thousands of workers a total of almost 1m pounds , with the biggest lists of offenders being in hairdressing, retail, hospitality, and social care.
84 employers in hospitality industry , 39 in hairdressing , 24 in social care. Mcdonald’s in Birmingham was also listed among the offending organisations for underpaying their staff.
MCDONALDS
Birmingham’s McDonalds claimed a technical error was responsible for payment errors, but that seems an easy excuse. The business department said over 1,500 cases are being worked on by the Revenue and customs, with more firms.
Some of the excuses used were ducking wages for Christmas parties, and forcing workers to pay for work uniforms.
MESSAGE
Business minister, Mogut James, Business minister said the naming and shaming of businesses is intended to send a clear message to employers that minimum wage abuses will not go unpunished.