GMB London welcome new rates for National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage from April 2020 and call for Unions to be given role in enforcement for staff at rogue employers

HMRC

GMB London, the union for general workers across the economy, welcomed the new rates for the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage from April 2020 and reiterated calls for unions to have a role in enforcement where members are employed by rogue employers.

GMB LONDON WELCOME NEW RATES FOR NATIONAL LIVING WAGE AND NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE FROM APRIL 2020 AND CALL FOR UNIONS TO BE GIVEN ROLE IN ENFORCEMENT FOR STAFF AT ROGUE EMPLOYERS  

Unions being able to raise underpayment with HMRC rather than workers risking retribution from rogue employers would make a big difference to  worker says GMB

GMB London, the union for general workers across the economy, welcomed the new rates for the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage from April 2020 and reiterated calls for unions to have a role in enforcement where members are employed by rogue employers.

The new rates for the National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage are as follows:

These statutory rates are lower than the suggested rates for a living wage set out by the Living Wage Foundation of £9.30 per hour (£10.75 in London).

While we welcome any increase to the Government minimum, the National Living Wage is not a Living Wage. It is not based on the cost of Living. The London Living Wage and real Living Wage are £10.75 and £9.30 respectively. They are independently calculated as the minimum people can earn to meet basic living costs. We urge all employers to ensure they pay the real Living Wage and the London Living Wage to those living in the capital.

Warren Kenny, GMB London Regional Secretary said “ The economy is currently under the cosh with the current public health emergency.

However this will pass in time and these new rates will be important when the economy returns to normal.

GMB always welcome increases in the statutory minimum wages for the lowest paid across the economy.

As always GMB expect workers employed by outsourced contractors in the public sector and in undertakings like the major airports to be paid at least in line with the figures set out by the Living Wage Foundation. In addition GMB members aspire to higher wage rates where the union is recognised and has bargaining rights.

However across large parts of the economy lower paid workers not in unions  rely on being paid the statutory minimum wages. For them enforcement is a big issue as well as securing enough hours work per week. Some employers are actively hostile to unions so staff are reliant on these statutory minimum wages for pay rises.

It would be a great help if unions are able to formally complain to HMRC about underpayment. At present only the workers can do this - risking retribution from rogue employers. A simple change in the regulations to allow unions to complain would make a big difference to these workers.”

Contact:
Lola McEvoy, GMB Organiser 079 6744 0297
GMB London Region Press Office, 079 7001 9643