Employment Law Changes In October 2008

The following changes in employment legislation are effective from 1 October 2008:

National Minimum Wage

• The minimum wage rate for adults aged 22 years and over will rise to £5.73 per hour (from £5.52);
• The rate for 18 – 21 year olds will rise to £4.77 (from £4.60); and
• The rate for 17 – 18 year olds will rise to £3.53 (from £3.40).

The law has not changed in respect of apprentices (anyone working under a contract of apprenticeship or taking part in certain training programmes). Apprentices under 19 years of age do not qualify for the national minimum wage in respect of work done under their contract of apprenticeship; and those between aged 19 - 25 years are not entitled to the national minimum wage for the first 12 months of their apprenticeship. Only apprentices over the age of 25 years are entitled to the national minimum wage from commencement of their apprenticeship.