Usdaw believes the Buckle review strikes the right balance between significantly increasing the national minimum wage over the next parliament and pushing forward the living wage agenda.
It is right to recognise that the key vehicle to do this is the Low Pay Commission. The commission has played a pivotal role in making the minimum wage a success, because it brings together employers, trade unions and academics to closely interrogate the evidence about low pay and all associated issues. To extend and increase its role in helping to tackle low pay, which the review recommends, is the next logical step in a mature policy evolution on this issue.
The emphasis on enforcement is also welcome, but while the involvement in local authorities will help in this regards, there is no recommendation regarding trade unions in taking up group claims on behalf of a number of workers, which would further strengthen the enforcement process.
Also in this area, there is no call for the abolition of employment tribunal fees, which have introduced a significant barrier for those individuals seeking enforcement through this route regarding illegal under-payment of the national minimum wage.
However, particular welcome regarding enforcement is given to the bringing of holiday pay under-payment within the scope of the regulators. It is something that should have been done a long time ago.
With regard to the living wage, the review is right to recognise that in some sectors, such as finance, it will be much easier to achieve than others, such as retail, and a twin-track approach will be necessary. In this regards, the recommended task forces looking at how to improve skills and productivity in the lowest paying sectors, as a route to higher wages, are to be particularly welcomed.
We also welcome the fact that the review acknowledges that tackling low pay is about a number of approaches. It involves not just pay but tackling short-time working, zero-hours contracts and temporary and insecure work.
It also presents us with an opportunity. To create a well-trained, highly skilled, motivated, more productive and well-paid workforce. By doing so we can make serious inroads into tackling poverty in the United Kingdom.
All in all, this review puts the issue of low pay back in the centre of the political agenda and for that alone the Buckle review deserves much credit.
———————————
John Hannett is general secretary of Usdaw
———————————
Photo: Todd Stadler