SHORTCHANGED… Bernice Swift
A LOCAL councillor has waged war on Fermanagh businesses that she says are underpaying staff.
Independent Councillor Bernice Swift revealed to the Fermanagh Herald that she has been contacted by a number of people in the last few weeks who have fallen victim to low pay, including wages beneath the minimum wage, by ruthless bosses here.
In one instance, the councillor spoke of how a staff member in her 40s at an Enniskillen hairdressers was forced to quit her job as she was being paid below the minimum wage, and given limited lunch breaks.
She added that she has been given examples in recent weeks of people working excessive hours for a low wage that she described as morally and, in some instances, legally suspect.
Cllr Swift said: “There is evidence of people working for less than the minimum wage, all of which tax and contributions have to be taken out which leaves very little living expenses and certainly not much luxury left for enjoyment.”
“People don’t want to rock the boat with employers, people are afraid of losing their jobs.
“A lot of people are really struggling to get along and are faced with stark choices to either take the measly-paid jobs on offer or suffer benefit suspension for six months.”
And, the councillor called for a ‘living wage’, which is an increase on the current minimum wage – for example, for over 21s £7.65 over £6.31.
She said: “Fermanagh employers who are not providing a Living Wage, should sign-up and stop the obscene slave-drive operation whereby they are obtaining maximum effort with minimum payment to the workers. The knock-on effect is negative in absolute terms, disinterest, unwillingness and poor service delivery for the customer.
“This is unfair on all levels and everyone should question where the equality factors into the equation?”
A spokesman for the Citizens Advice Bureau, who have an office in Enniskillen, noted that all workers in the UK aged 16 or over, are legally entitled to a national minimum hourly wage (NMW).
“The rules about which elements of a worker’s pay, and which hours of working time, count towards calculating the NMW are very complicated.
“If you think you are not being paid the national minimum wage or want to check whether you are entitled to the national minimum wage, you should contact the Pay and Work Rights helpline on 0800 917 2368 or should go to an experienced adviser, for example, a Citizens Advice Bureau.”
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