Catherine Stihler, Scottish Labour MEP

1^st April 2009

Sir,

Today marks the 10^th Anniversary of the introduction of the National Minimum Wage.

The National Minimum Wage remains one of the Labour government’s proudest achievements.  I applaud the fact that since its introduction, millions of workers in Britain have benefitted from a fairer and decent wage.  Almost everyone in the UK is entitled to at least the minimum wage – that includes people employed permanently, by an agency, part-time workers, casual workers, or people on a short-term contract. 

Low pay is a major cause of poverty and social injustice.  Everyone deserves a proper wage, and nobody wants to go back to the days when someone could legally be paid a couple of pounds for a hard hours work.

I wholeheartedly support the wage being defended, improved and expanded upon.    The Labour Government is taking steps to strengthen it, while the Conservatives still criticise it.  Labour ensures that workers know their rights and employers know their responsibilities.

Yours sincerely,

Catherine Stihler MEP

Labour MEP for Scotland