The UK Government announced earlier in the week another 70 companies and businesses which have failed to comply with the minimum wage legislation which is the largest number yet. Today’s announcement brings the total number of those named in this way to 162 across the UK.
The 70 firms owe workers £157,000 and have also been charged penalties by HMRC of a further £70,000.
Business Minister Jo Swinson said: “Paying less than the minimum wage is illegal, immoral and completely unacceptable. Naming and shaming gives a clear warning to employers who ignore the rules, that they will face reputational consequences as well as financial penalties of up to £20,000 if they don’t pay the minimum wage.
“We’re working hard in areas where we know there are particular problems, like the care sector, to make sure staff are paid fairly for the hard work they do.
“We are legislating through the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Bill so that this penalty can be applied to each underpaid worker rather than per employer.
“We are helping workers recover the hundreds of thousands of pounds in pay owed to them as well as raising awareness to make sure workers are paid fairly in the first place.”
There is one notable Scottish entry on the list : the power giant SSE based in Perth has been accused of failing to pay the sum of £2,233.95 to 5 workers.
Other than this there are no other Scottish companies but last month the list of those companies being named and shamed by the Government included an Edinburgh joinery firm, J Wood Joiners & Builders Ltd, who neglected to pay £3,373.19 to 4 workers.
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