The
TUC is to push for a 29 per cent rise in the National Minimum wage and call for
the inclusion of staff under the age of 18 when it submits its proposals to the
Low Pay Commission.
The
union wants the rate to increase from the current £4.10 to between £5 and £5.30
by October 2004.
In
a general council statement, expected to be ratified at the TUC’s annual
congress, it also calls for the current youth/development minimum wage rate to
be scrapped and for all employees over 18 to receive the adult rate.
John
Monks, TUC general secretary, said the minimum wage had not led to increased
unemployment and called for the policy to be extended to 16 and 17 year olds.
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"It’s
now time to be bolder and grasp the opportunity to make it an even more
effective weapon against poverty by increasing the minimum wage," he said.
