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Published on 3 - October - 2011
Minimum wage rise puts pressure on retail jobs, says BRC
The 2.5% National Minimum Wage increase which came into affect on Saturday will make it harder for retailers to maintain and create jobs, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned.The rise takes the adult minimum wage from £5.93 an hour to £6.08.
The BRC had previously urged the Low Pay Commission to recommend a lower rise, as latest figures show customers buying less and retail job numbers down on a year ago.
Director general Stephen Robertson said: "Supporting jobs in the current climate is essential. Whilst most retail jobs pay above minimum wage, increases inevitably push up salaries across the board and make it harder for companies to maintain and expand their workforces.
"The retail sector has a long record of jobs growth but the latest figures show a fall. Retail employment cannot be taken for granted. Retail employs nearly 3m people and a third of our staff are 25 or younger. Retailers are offering young people their first step on the career ladder and backing that up with training and development opportunities. In support of those efforts we are asking that next year's minimum wage rise is kept at 2.1% or below."
The organisation also says more notice of decisions is needed to help firms manage their budgets. Currently, businesses are informed of changes just six months before they take effect.
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By annomynous
Again we have the likes of the BRC and there fellow rich partners belly aching about a fair wage for the normal yes i say normal working folk of the UK.areadt ravaged by the cuts, that seem only to be aimed at the working class, even at the current rate its not a living wage, you dont have to be a mathmatician to work that out. What the BRC want? and its TORY driven board, is to be in line with the TORIES and put the working class in their place, and will not be happy untill they do so. Can someone from the BRC Board say and reply, how the cuts are affecting them??? is it that they are a bottle of champagne less at breakfast,or the maldives instead of the Seycheles, BRC remember France, 1789, the revolution, BRC and the Tories beware?
04/10/2011 13:33:00
By annomynous
Again we have the likes of the BRC and there fellow rich partners belly aching about a fair wage for the normal yes i say normal working folk of the UK.areadt ravaged by the cuts, that seem only to be aimed at the working class, even at the current rate its not a living wage, you dont have to be a mathmatician to work that out. What the BRC want? and its TORY driven board, is to be in line with the TORIES and put the working class in their place, and will not be happy untill they do so. Can someone from the BRC Board say and reply, how the cuts are affecting them??? is it that they are a bottle of champagne less at breakfast,or the maldives instead of the Seycheles, BRC remember France, 1789, the revolution, BRC and the Tories beware?
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