TUC: Give apprentices new minimum wage
Fri 8 Aug 2008 at 6:42 PM
The Trades Union Congress has called for apprentices to be paid a new minimum wage.
It made a submission to the Low Pay Commission, saying it was unfair for the majority of trainees to not be covered by current minimum wage recommendations.
"Ten years on from the minimum wage becoming law, millions of low-paid workers have benefited from better pay and protection from exploitation. It's now time for apprentices to benefit from these rights too," said general secretary Brendan Barber.
The TUC's report noted the introduction of an £80 per week minimum in 2005 had a big impact in improving completion rates.
Mr Barber said "increasing completion rates is absolutely vital to the success of apprenticeships" and called for all apprenticeships to be brought under the national minimum wage regime.
The current minimum wage rates are £3.40 for 16-17 year olds, £4.60 for 18-21 year olds and £5.52 for people over 22 years old.
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