Nearly 180 employers have been named and shamed in the latest release of employers to be caught underpaying their staff.
The government recovered backpay for 9,200 workers equating to £1.1 million, while the employers in question were fined a total of £1.3 million in penalties for breaking National Minimum Wage (NMW) laws.
‘There are no excuses for short-changing workers. This is an absolute red line for this government and employers who cross it will get caught – not only are they forced to pay back every penny but they are also fined up to 200 per cent of wages owed,’ said Business Minister Andrew Griffiths. ‘Today’s naming round serves as a sharp reminder to employers to get their house in order ahead of minimum wage rate rises on 1 April.’
This latest list of employers to be caught comes ahead of the launch of a Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy campaign to raise awareness of the new NMW rates, and to encourage workers to speak to their employer if they think they are being underpaid.
Since 2013, HMRC’s naming and shaming scheme has identified more than £9 million in backpay for around 67,000 workers, with more than 1,700 employers fined a total of £6.3 million. The government has committed £25.3 million for minimum wage enforcement in 2017 to 2018.
