Underpaid staff gain back-pay rights from ex-employers

Workers
who were paid less than the national minimum wage in a previous job can now
claim back-pay from their former bosses.

Employment
relations minister Gerry Sutcliffe said the new law, which came into force
today, stems from the Government’s determination to close the loophole in the
National Minimum Wage Act.

He
said: "[The Government is] not complacent in enforcing rules, and will
tighten them up where necessary."

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Under
current rules, underpaid staff are already entitled to back-pay from present
employers, but former employers had previously been able to escape liability
because of a loophole in the legislation.

By
Quentin Reade