NEWS RELEASE
25 November 2003
STUC young workers will present views of Scottish Trade Union to Low Pay Commission.
Three young Trade Unionists will lead the STUC response to the consultation on the case for a minimum wage for 16 and 17 years olds.
The STUC response to the Low Pay Commission consultation was formulated by the STUC Youth Committee and has the full support of the STUC General Council.
The STUC will criticise the increasing gap between the standard minimum wage and the minimum wage for 18-21 year olds.
But the sharpest critique is reserved for the absence of any minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds which is described as:
(encouraging) "the worst employers, to view young people as a source of cheap labour and undermines the government's own good work in combating age discrimination".
The STUC response also:
Reaffirms its call for full minimum wage protection, through the payment of a statutory minimum wage of half male median earnings to all workers, irrespective of age. The half-male median formula is currently £5.68 per hour.
Argues that modern apprenticeships should be covered by minimum wage legislation. (16% of modern apprentices are paid as little as £1.50 per hour according to a recent survey.)
Argues that the scope of legislation should be widened to include those under 16 who are currently employed in part-time jobs.
Quotes surveys undertaken by UNISON, USDAW and the Scottish Low Pay Unit, which give a flavour of the widespread underpayment of 16 and 17 year olds in the Scottish economy.
Tel: 0141 337 8100 / Fax: 0141 337 8101 www.stuc.org.uk
STUC Assistant Secretary Rozanne Foyer said:
"I will be travelling to London on Tuesday for the Low Pay Commission presentation, but I am proud that it will be the STUC Youth Committee representing the views of young Scottish workers and the whole of Scotland's Trade Union movement.
"We hope that the Commission will recognise that the absence of a minimum wage for 16&17 year olds is discriminatory and counter-productive."