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Employment: Minimum wage bill

8th January 1998, Page 40
8th January 1998
Page 40
Page 40, 8th January 1998 — Employment: Minimum wage bill
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Nmon Minimum wage bill The National Minimum Wage Bill has had its first reading in Parliament. If enacted, it will provide the legislative framework for the national minimum wage, including the duties of the Low Pay Commission, and enforcement mechanisms. The Bill specifies that the minimum wage will be a single national rate with no variation by region, sector, occupation or size of firm. However, it does not set the rate of the minimum wage. This will be introduced by regulations after the Low Pay Commission has reported its findings.

Copies of the National Minimum Wage Bill, priced £5, are available from The Stationery Office. Contact 0171 873 8372.

DDA exemption review The Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) is consulting on reviewing the threshold exempting employers with fewer than 20 employees from the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Currently 95% of private-sector employers and nearly 25% of all disabled workers are exempt from the provisions.

Widening the application of the Act would not necessarily place a costly burden on business. For example, employers could use: • Documents in large print; • Magnetic loop telephones for hearing aids; • Specially adapted chairs.

Access to Work can help meet the cost of extra equipment or support that disabled people need to carry out their jobs.

Copies of the consultation paper are available from the DfEE on 0345 622633.

People with hearing impairments should contact 0345 622644; comments must be received by 3 February 1998.

Employee consultation The EC has launched the second phase of consultation with unions and employers' organisations on legislation regarding informing and consulting employees at national level. The suggested measures aim to: • Establish the fundamental right of workers to be consulted and informed on decisions likely to affect them; • Develop effective mechanisms for anticipating and preventing the possible social consequences of industrial change and restructuring; • Strengthen the link between information and consultation on strategic and social issues Takeover bids The European Commission has proposed new rules amending the European Parliament and Council Directive on Company Law Concerning Takeover Bids. These will: • Require companies involved in takeover bids to inform their employees of the position once the bid is made public; • Provide for general meeting authorisation for the adoption of defensive measures to be granted during the period of acceptance of the bid. This should ensure that the fate of the takeover bid lies ultimately with shareholders; • Clarify the definition of the person or company making the bid, and add to rules determining which supervisory authority and national laws are involved.


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