EFA calls for equality over minimum wage

-

The Employers Forum on Age (EFA) is calling on the government to scrap the lower development rate paid to 18 to 21-year-old workers in order to equalise the minimum wage.

According to the organisation, paying younger workers less than their older colleagues even though, in many cases, they are carrying out the same job is unfair.

Currently, workers aged 22 and over are entitled to at least £5.73 per hour, while the minimum rate of pay for 18 to 21-year-olds is just £4.77 per hour.

Commenting, Catharine Pusey, director of the Employers Forum on Age, asked: "Why then do we think it is right to pay someone less simply because they are younger?"

HRreview Logo

Get our essential weekday HR news and updates.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Keep up with the latest in HR...
This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Optin_date
This field is hidden when viewing the form

 

It has been argued that scrapping the lower development rate would result in higher unemployment among 18 to 21-year-olds.

However, Ms Pusey insisted such a move would have "minimal negative impacts" and that in the long-term it would in fact be very positive.

Under-18s who are no longer of compulsory school age are currently entitled to at least £3.53 per hour.

Latest news

Helen Wada: Why engagement initiatives fail without human-centric leadership

Workforce engagement has become a hot topic across the boardroom and beyond, particularly as hybrid working practices have become the norm.

Recruiters warned to move beyond ‘post and pray’ as passive talent overlooked

Employers risk missing most candidates by relying on job boards as hiring methods struggle to deliver quality applicants.

Employment tribunal roundup: Appeal fairness, dismissal reasoning, discrimination tests and religious belief clarified

Decisions examine appeal failures, dismissal reasoning, discrimination claims and religious belief, offering practical guidance on fairness, causation and proportionality.

Fears of AI cheating in hiring ‘overblown’ as employers urged to rethink assessments

Employers may be overstating concerns about AI misuse in recruitment as evidence of candidate manipulation remains limited.
- Advertisement -

More employees use workplace health benefits, but barriers still limit access

Many workers struggle to access employer healthcare support due to confusion, costs and unclear processes.

Gender pay gap in tech widens to nine-year high as AI roles drive salaries

Women in IT earn less as salaries rise faster in male-dominated AI and cybersecurity roles, widening pay differences.

Must read

Daniel Callaghan: How to improve the hiring experience

Daniel Callagan explores the most effective ways to secure top talent, arguing that it is important the hiring process is engaging from the very beginning.

Henny Swan: Accessible recruitment is everyone’s business

Recruitment is supposed to be a gateway. Too often, though, that gateway is built with walls rather than open doors.
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you