The minimum wage is set to rise

[tadpole]

25/06/2007

The Minimum Wage

FROM 1st July 2007

EVERY EXPERIENCED ADULT WORKER
IS ENTITLED TO THE
NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE
OF ?8.65 Per Hour

Employers are permitted to pay employees who
are (i) under 18 years of age or (ii) first-time job
entrants or (iii) persons undergoing structured
training, specified rates below ?8.30 per
hour for a defined period.


From 1st July 2007 every experienced adult worker is entitled to the national minimum wage of ?8.65 per hour. So if you are an experienced adult worker then your average hourly rate of pay in a week, fortnight or no longer than a month must not be less than ?8.65 per working hour.

It is unlawful for an employer to pay less than the minimum hourly rate of pay entitlement, or to exceed the duration permitted for the payment of a lower hourly rate than ?8.65. The Act applies to full-time, part-time, temporary and casual employees.

Structured Training

It must involve:

* Study or skilled training aimed at enhancing work performance
* At least 10% of directed study/training must be away form ordinary operational work
* There must be an assessment and certification procedure or written confirmation that a course/training has been completed.

Calculation of Hourly Pay (Reckonable Pay)

Some employees earn more than basic pay. For example, if you do shift work, you may be paid a shift premium.

Reckonable pay means payments that are allowable in calculating an average hourly rate of pay under this Act.

The following payment may be taken into account when determining average hourly rate of pay.

* Basic Pay
* Shift Premium
* Piece/Incentive Rates
* Commission
* Productivity related bonuses
* Board and/or lodging
* Service charge paid through payroll

Overtime, Sunday, Public Holidays and Unsocial Hours premium may not be included.

The period of time over which you may calculate the average earnings (Pay Reference Period) must not be longer than one month.

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