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"Same work, same minimum wage!" New minimum wage still discriminates against young people say British Youth Council

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Wednesday, 05, Mar 2008 12:00

The British Youth Council (BYC) today welcomed the announcement by Gordon Brown that there will be a 3.8% increase in the Minimum Wage for young people but expressed disappointment that the current discriminatory three-tiered system remains (which offers different rates of pay to those aged 16 to 17, 18 to 21 and 22 and above).

BYC believes that young people should have equal status to their older colleagues and receive the same pay for the same work.

BYC is actively campaigning for an equal National Minimum Wage for everyone aged 16 and over.

BYC has been running an online survey so young people can voice their opinions of the National Minimum Wage.

More than three quarters of the young people surveyed disagreed with people of different ages receiving different minimum wages.

One young respondent to the survey remarked: “Is it right that I get a lower wage just because of my age when we live in an age where age discrimination is wrong?

“It just seems another way to make young people feel under represented and under valued”.

Emily Beardsmore, BYC Chair, commented: “BYC believes that the Minimum Wage makes a real difference to the lives of many young people. Indeed BYC originally campaigned for the Minimum Wage to be introduced. Now we want to see the Government ensure that finally there is fair equal pay for equal work for everyone aged over 16”.

Ends.

Notes to Editors:

For further information please contact:

Helen Deakin

Policy Officer

British Youth Council

0207 7022 1974

Helen.Deakin@byc.org.uk

http://www.byc.org.uk

BYC is the national youth council and voice for young people under 26 living in the UK. We represent and involve a unique coalition of young people through their involvement as individuals or through national, regional or local youth organisations.

BYC works to ensure that young people are involved at every level of decision-making to allow them to be represented and to make their voices heard. We aim to do four things: Provide a voice for young people; Promote equality for young people; Help young people be more involved in decisions that affect their lives; Advance young people’s participation in society and civil life.

For more information on BYC’s campaign for an Equal National Minimum Wage, please see BYC’s website: http://www.byc.org.uk/enmw

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