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John Leech backs support workers in minimum wage bid
June 19, 2008 9:00 AM
Liberal Democrat MP John Leech is campaigning for support workers who provide overnight care for vulnerable people to be paid the minimum wage for their overnight shift and has tabled a Parliamentary motion backing them in their fight.
John Leech said: "I urge the government to put an end to the legal practice of paying support workers below the minimum wage for their sleep rate.
"It is often impossible for support workers to sleep whilst on an overnight shift, and to be paid less than the minimum wage is an insult to these people who work so hard to help the most vulnerable in our communities."
Notes to editors:
1. John Leech MP tabled a Parliamentary Motion on the subject, the text of which is set out below:
EDM 1750
MINIMUM WAGE RATES AND SUPPORT WORKERS
That this House recognises the valuable work of support workers who provide overnight support to vulnerable adults; notes with concern that employers are able to pay rates below the minimum wage to support staff who sleep over but remain on call throughout the night; recognises that it is often impossible for staff to spend any time asleep while on shift; and therefore urges the government to bring forward proposals to put an end to the legal practice of paying support workers below the minimum wage for their sleep rate, and to ensure that they are paid the minimum wage for sleepover hours.
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