Local MP supports Government proposals to protect vulnerable workers and reduce burdens on business

December 2007

The Labour Government is taking new steps to protect vulnerable workers by increasing penalties for non-payment of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and cracking down on abuses that can occur in the agency work sector.

The Government is also making changes to the workplace grievance procedure which is too bureaucratic and burdensome for employers and employees alike, and replacing it with a new system that will enable more cases to be resolved informally – saving time and money.

Ochil & South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks said - “The National Minimum Wage was a key right this Government introduced to ensure workers were paid fairly and I am pleased that it is helping many people throughout Ochil & South Perthshire. These changes will make sure everyone who is caught not paying their workers will be punished, with the potential for unlimited fines for persistent and determined non-payment.

“Rogue businesses should not be allowed to get away with unfairly undercutting legitimate operators by exploiting workers in contravention of the law.

“The proposed changes will ease burdens for businesses and employees by abolishing rigid statutory processes for dispute resolution.”