Minimum wage for young people is pathetic
Today I looked into actual figures for the minimum wage and I was very shocked at what I found out. For workers aged 22 years and older, the minimum wage is currently sat at £5.73 per hour. Then there is another scale which the government call a 'development rate', where workers aged 18-21 inclusive can earn £4.77 per hour. Finally, there is another rate for workers under the age of 18 who are no longer at school. They are paid at a measly rate of £3.53 per hour!
£3.53 - is that some kind of sick joke? I know this rate is for the under 18's, and frankly some people that age are really just a waste of time and money in the work place. But then there are others that are real hard workers and deserve the same rate as the over 22's. Sadly, most companies are greedy and are more interested in keeping the profit for themselves so these young workers are very unlikely to get a pay rise. If they complain then they'll be out on their ear and replaced by some other youngster. Well that's how business works, right?
The government should seriously rethink the whole minimum wage policy as it appears to me to be most unfair. I would even go as far as to say it's a blatant case of ageism. I think it's high time the minimum wage was set to be equal across the board, one rate of pay for all workers regardless of age.
There are so many jobs out there that pay just the bare minimum (just take a look on the Job-centre web site) and some of those jobs can be real hard graft. If you're paying a minimum wage then you can only expect minimum work. As they say, if you pay peanuts then you will get monkeys.
By: Equality for all
Comments from visitors
FRANCOIS VILLON
1431------
See that's what you get paying minimum wage.
Am I not worthy of a pittance.....£19 an hour.
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Sir Marmaduke Smythe the 3rd - 3-Sep-11 17:01
There I was building my hopes up; I thought maybe I could be “Poet in Residence” for your company.
If you reconsider I must point out the conditions of my employment:
My day begins at 2pm and I cannot possibly start before then.
£19 an hour sounds fair and is suitable reward for my efforts and is only double what you are paying as minimum.
I will also need a supply of cola and burgers throughout the day and no interrupting me if I fall asleep. No use of the whip or ball and chain, and don’t ever shout at me.
A taxi to collect me in the morning and a taxi home to be paid by the company.
I bet you feel better already as I am showing you the error of your ways;
(Modern day Cotton Mill Owner)
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Sir Marmaduke Smythe the 3rd - 3-Sep-11 16:29
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Marmy, I just can't be bothered to type in more of your name!
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grumpyoldwoman - 3-Sep-11 15:02
GIZZAJOB!
I have degree in 15th century French Poetry,
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Sir Marmaduke Smythe the 3rd - 3-Sep-11 13:44
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2/ We started the company several years after finishing the house. We have had several tax inspections with only minor problems.
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grumpyoldwoman - 3-Sep-11 12:59
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Yes I did forget to mention the architect, and yes I can lay bricks if I need to but I'd rather work with stone as they are all different shapes and so the work is much more interesting.
Now you and R T can boil your silly heads (or is it just one head?) for all I care.
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grumpyoldwoman - 3-Sep-11 12:43
“When I say we built our house ourselves I mean we actually built it ourselves” GOW
Unless you did all of the above you did NOT build your house yourself.
Anyway now we know that GOW is a bricklayer!
“I also did most of the stonework, including all the way up the chimney.”
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Sir Marmaduke Smythe the 3rd - 3-Sep-11 12:23
Now try to digest what I am saying please!
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grumpyoldwoman - 3-Sep-11 11:00
You write drivel and you appear incapable of understanding a coherent and properly written response to your meaningless rants.
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Sir Marmaduke, if we are talking about the NHS etc. then you are getting some of my taxes as well, you idiot.
We are in civil engineering and construction (a clue for R Tressell) and our minimum pay level is currently £9.50 per hour.
R T, you walked into that one! When I say we built our house ourselves I mean we actually built it ourselves. We had a friend in to do the plastering, and other friends helped with the plumbing and electrics. I drove the van and fetched every concrete block plus loads of sand, concrete lintels, stone, wood and so on, right down to the bathroom suites. I also did most of the stonework, including all the way up the chimney. Our sons were teenagers at the time and they did alot of the work too. The GOM, a fairly big hairy builder, did the rest!
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grumpyoldwoman - 3-Sep-11 09:30
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Sir Marmuduke Smythe the 3rd - 2-Sep-11 23:32
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I’ve got it!
YOU are one of the (modern day) Cotton Mill owners, bet you have your kids already slaving away to make you rich, you should be ashamed of yourself, they could be out rioting instead of contributing to your pile, or carving a career for themselves at MakDonalds.
I am still waiting for the £20 note please.
Am I not polite?
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Sir Marmaduke Smythe the 3rd - 2-Sep-11 20:09
When you retire will you forfeit the state pension?
Do you use the NHS?
Do you use a NHS dentist?
Was your education paid for by the state?
So you are one of the dreaded bosses. Do you employ anyone, do you pay more than the minimum wage?
You really are grumpy arnt you.
Cannot be much of a business if you have time to make over a thousand comments.
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Sir Marmaduke Smythe the 3rd - 2-Sep-11 19:45
The GOM and I own our own house (built it ourselves in fact), both work and pay our taxes and are keeping a business going which with luck will provide work for our 2 sons for the rest of their working lives. We both have personal pension plans and the only money we have ever had from the state was family allowance.
Now go away and research the subject on which you wish to pontificate; the comparison between the poor of today and the poor of the early 19th century.
Or don't, I really don't care!
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