REDDITCH and Bromsgrove businesses have been named and shamed as part of a government crackdown on those failing to pay the minimum wage.
New figures show a total of around £12.6million in penalties have been issued to 389 employers with these fines coming on top of the repaid wages.
Johnsons Cars Limited based in Redditch town centre has been handed a penalty for failing to pay £15,864 to 44 workers and Windmill Pre-School Midlands Limited did not pay £958 owed to 15 workers.
And Sidemoor Pre-School Playgroup was also among almost 400 companies across the UK which illegally unpaid its workers.
The playgroup owed £807.70 to seven of its workers.
The withheld cash has been directly repaid as part of the latest Government crackdown on those who fail to pay the minimum wage.
Figures show thousands of hard-working Brits have been denied over £7.3million by their employers.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: “The vast majority of businesses in this country do the right thing by paying their staff properly and playing by the rules.
“It’s not fair on them when others are able to get ahead by not paying the wages their workers are owed.
“A good employer doesn’t build their business on the back of unpaid wages, and I look forward to working with the new Fair Work Agency to ensure its powers are used to crack down on those who think the rules don’t apply to them.
“This is the first ‘naming round’ since the Chancellor’s Budget commitment to publish more frequently, this puts more pressure on employers to keep their payroll up to date and boosts workers’ confidence that when they’re treated poorly by their boss, swift justice will follow.
Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden addded: “Nobody should finish a week’s work and find they’ve been paid less than they’ve earned.
“I believe in a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.
“That’s why we’re cracking down on employers who underpay.
“We’re making sure workers get the hard earned pay they deserve.
“I encourage every employer to check their payroll to ensure they don’t get caught out.”
