The National Minimum Wage (NMW) applies to nearly all workers and sets hourly rates below which pay must not be allowed to fall.
From October 2008 the rates will be:
- Main (adult) rate for workers aged 22 and over £5.73 per hour
- Development rate for workers aged 18-21 inclusive £4.77 per hour
- 16 -17 year olds £3.53 per hour
- apprentices and unwaged trainees are not covered by the National Minimum Wage
The National Minimum Wage does not cover some other groups of workers:
- people who are genuinely self-employed
- volunteers
- apprentices who are over 18 but under 26 in the first 12 months of their apprenticeships
- members of the armed forces
- people who work and live as part of a family (for example au pairs).
The Greater Manchester Pay and Employment Rights Advice Service offers advice and support about your rights at work. They can also give you information about organisations in your area that could help you further.
The Greater Manchester Pay and Employment Rights Advice Service
4th Floor Swan Buildings
20 Swan Street
Manchester M4 5JW
Adviceline 0161 839 3888
The Greater Manchester Pay and Employment Rights Advice Service
You can use the library in your Connexions Centre too as it has information for you to read or take away.