Restaurant chains told: Hand over tips to staff

HIGH-street restaurant chains like Prezzo, Strada and Zizzi will be forced to hand over all tips to their staff under new laws.

There had been public dismay after it emerged some companies were keeping back cash that had been left for staff by diners.

Popular high street chains including Belgo, Bella Italia, Cafe Rouge, Giraffe, Prezzo and Strada were among chains who have made deductions of 10 per cent – while Zizzi and Ask have both taken 8pc.

Announcing the move, Theresa May said the reforms, were part of the government’s work to crack down on exploitative employment practices.

Workers at TGI Fridays restaurants staged strikes earlier this year in a dispute over pay. Members of Unite at some of the chain’s restaurants protested over a decision to redirect some tips paid on credit cards from waiting staff to boost the low wages of kitchen workers, as well as ‘numerous alleged breaches’ of the minimum wage and contractual entitlements.

A government consultation launched in 2015 found restaurant customers were overwhelmingly in favour of the tips they paid going to the people that served them.

Shadow business secretary and Salford and Eccles MP Rebecca Long Bailey said: “This is now the fourth policy the Tories have copied from us at their conference, as they desperately try to catch up with Labour.

“It’s a shame that Unite have had to fight so hard to extract this concession from the Tories. “

Dave Turnbull, Unite regional officer, said: “Unite will be seeking assurances from ministers that the legislation the Government introduces truly delivers fair tips for some of the lowest paid workers in the UK and that it is done so in a timely manner.”