15 Poor Payers naMeD & shaMeD
Minimum wage scandal
EMPLOYERS who failed to pay their workers the minimum wage have been named by the UK Government.
More than 200 staff in Scotland were underpaid by 15 firms, losing out on almost £75,000 in wages.
The businesses have now been fined a total of £70,000 and the employees will be paid what they are owed.
The Scottish firms are among 179 employers across the UK named in the latest round of the scheme to expose those who fail to pay the minimum wage.
From April, the rates will increase to £7.83 an hour for over-25s, £7.38 for 21-24-year-olds, £5.90 for workers aged 18-20, £4.20 for under-18s and £3.70 for apprentices.
The worst culprits in Scotland were named as Heather Park Community Services Ltd, a home help service in Newmains, Lanarkshire. They failed to pay a total of £26,018 to 73 workers.
Pizza delivery and takeaway 1st Pizza Direct in Inverness underpaid 87 staff a total of £25,668, while Citi Dental Surgery in Glasgow owed a total of £8733 to two workers. Hair and beauty firms, cleaning services and catering were among the other sectors featured on the list of shame.
Scotland Office Minister Lord Duncan said: “It is simply unacceptable for bosses to rip off their staff by not paying at least minimum wage rates.
“These 15 Scottish employers are breaking the law.
“These fines show just how seriously the UK Government take this matter.
“Bosses who think that they can get away with short-changing hardworking staff, be warned – the UK Government will name and shame you and hit you in the pocket.”