All workers are legally entitled to be paid the National Minimum Wage (NMW).
This includes temporary seasonal staff, who often work short-term contracts in bars, hotels, shops and warehouses over the summer.
The National Minimum Wage hourly rates from 1 April 2023 are:
- £10.42 – age 23 or over (National Living Wage)
- £10.18 – age 21 to 22
- £7.49 – age 18 to 20
- £5.28 – age under 18
- £5.28 – apprentice
Employers who do not pay the NMW can be publicly ‘named and shamed’ and those who blatantly fail to comply can face criminal prosecution.
Employers can contact the Acas helpline for free help and advice or visit GOV.UK to find out more.
The Welsh Government encourages all employers that can afford to do so to ensure their employees receive an hourly rate of pay that reflects the costs of living, not just the statutory minimum. The voluntary Real Living Wage is independently calculated based on what people need to get by and is higher than the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.
Find out more at the following link Living Wage Wales – For the real cost of living