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Minimum wage is increased, but younger workers still victims of discrimination Comment from The Employers Forum on Age 7 March 2007 Responding to the DTI decision to increase the national minimum wage, Sam Mercer, Director of The Employers Forum on Age (EFA) says, "We are frustrated by the refusal to address the fact that under the current bands, 18-21 year olds are paid less, simply because of their age and irrespective of their capabilities or responsibilities. "We believe this constitutes direct age discrimination and is sending out completely the wrong message to employers about the consequence of making decisions based on age in the workplace. While we support the existence of the youth rate for 16-17 year olds due to the statutory restrictions on the work they can undertake, a development rate for inexperienced workers should not be based on age and should only be applied for a short term." Mercer continues, "We are calling on the Government to equalise all minimum wage standards for those over 18. Age discrimination in employment became illegal on 1st October last year - the current argument from the government that employers might potentially avoid taking on younger workers if they had to pay them the same amount as workers over 21 is simply reinforcing the discriminatory practices that the legislation was designed to eradicate." The EFA is actively lobbying the government on the issue of minimum wage age bands. An Early Day Motion has been tabled and currently has 88 signatures representing cross-party support. - End - For further information please contact: The Employers Forum on Age Sam Mercer: 207 785 6539 - sam.mercer@efa.org.uk Rachel Krys: 207 785 6556 - rachel.krys@efa.org.uk Or Lansons Communications Helen Thomson: 0207 294 3604 - helent@lansons.com Aisling McCarthy: 0207 294 3633 - aislingm@lansons.com Notes to Editors Back to the press office |
