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MP calls on Government to immediately restore NMW naming and shaming policy

Stewart McDonald MP has slammed the UK Government for suspending its National Minimum Wage (NMW) naming and shaming policy, saying it could lead to an increase in the number of employers not paying the minimum wage and further use of unpaid work trials, and called for the policy to be restored immediately.

The “naming and shaming” scheme was one of the measures put into place by the Government to enforce the minimum wage law and accompanies the ability for the Government to issue a financial penalty to the employer, in addition to ordering them to pay what is owed to the worker themselves.

Following the Government's admission that the policy had been suspended, Stewart McDonald, MP for Glasgow South, submitted a Written Parliamentary Question calling on the policy to be restored.

In response, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said the naming of employers for NMW breaches would only recommence once a review of the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage (NMW) Naming Scheme had been completed.

Commenting, Stewart McDonald said:

"The UK Government's decision to suspend the naming and shaming policy is a deeply concerning, and is just another sign of this Government's failure to stand up for workers' rights.

"Without naming and shaming rogue bosses, workers risk falling victim to charlatan employers, an increase in employers not paying the minimum wage, or in the number those using unpaid work trials.

"Suspending this policy, failing to legislate effectively to ensure people are paid for the work they do - such as the refusal to ban unpaid work trials. Is it any wonder workers have no confidence in this Government to protect their rights?

"The absolute bare minimum the Government can do, to ensure workers' concerns are taken seriously, is restore the naming and shaming policy, and this should be done immediately."

Notes

Stewart McDonald WPQ to BEIS on NMW naming and shaming policy - https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2019-06-03/259296/