The owner of a children’s nursery has become the first employer to undergo a criminal prosecution for breaking the law on the national minimum wage. Mrs Teresa Aguda, the owner of Rascals Day Nursery in east London, was fined £2500 and must pay £500 in costs after pleading guilty to a charge of obstruction, an offence under the National Minimum Wage Act. Mrs Aguda had stopped HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) compliance officers from entering the nursery in order to find out if she was paying her workers the minimum wage. The judge at Waltham Forest Magistrates’ Court said that Mrs Aguda had “demonstrated a clear and deliberate intent to obstruct officers and this was a scandalous breach of the National Minimum Wage legislation”. Andy Millican, criminal investigation team leader for HMRC, said: “This prosecution sends a clear message to employers that HMRC will actively pursue those we suspect of flouting National Minimum Wage law. If employers obstruct us and refuse to comply with the law they could receive a fine and a criminal record.” The main minimum wage rate for workers aged 22 and over is £5.35 an hour, increasing to £5.52 on 1 October 2007. The development rate for 18-21 year olds is £4.45 an hour, rising to £4.60 on 1 October. The rate for 16-17 year old is £3.30 an hour, increasing to £3.40 on 1 October. Date:30 August 2007
Content by: Made Simple Group
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