All aboard: Are you getting on the ?5.52?

A government-backed intitative to ensure that all employees in the country are being paid the National Minimum Wage, has reached Scotland.

The campaign has used a double decker bus with “?5.52: Are you on board?’ emblazoned on the side to gain nationwide attention.

In the nect three months, the bus will travel to more than 30 towns and cities across the UK offering free help and information about the minimum wage – as well as access to online and phone support.

It’s estimated that 110,000 workers in Scotland benefited from the National Minimum Wage uprating last October, which saw the rate increase to ?5.52 for people aged 22 and over, ?3.40 for 16-17 year olds, ?4.60 for 18- 21 year olds.

David Cairns, minster of state at for Scotland?said: “Every UK worker is entitled to earn a fair wage for a day’s work, that’s why this Government introduced the National Minimum Wage. We want to make sure that workers understand their rights and that employers are aware of their responsibilities.”

In 2006, National Minimum Wage enforcement officers helped return almost ?427,000 in wages to nearly 800 workers in Scotland who had been underpaid by their employers.

On board, workers can get an indication as to whether or not they are being paid below the minimum wage and use facilities to make a confidential complaint.

If you think you are being underpaid or have a wage enquiry, contact the confidential? NMW helpline on 0845 6000 678 (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday). In Northern Irelandcall 0845 6500 207.

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