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The CBI has called for a "modest rise" in the minimum pay rate next year
following next month's 30p increase from £5.05 to £5.35 an hour.
Susan Anderson, CBI director of human resources policy, explained: "The minimum
wage has improved living standards for many workers but continuing heavy annual
increases are simply not sustainable.
"Firms are already under great pressure from rising energy costs, lower-waged
competition overseas and an uncertain global economic outlook."
The minimum wage has risen by 27% 2002.
In a submission to the Low Pay Commission, the CBI said that many companies,
suffering from increased energy costs and employment regulation, would not be
able to afford further big rises in minimum pay rates.
Companies operating in the retail, hospitality and food production sectors were
already struggling to meet the demands of the minimum wage, with many employers
forced to reduce staff hours and plan for job losses.
The British Retail Consortium has called for a two-year moratorium on any
further increases above inflation in minimum rates.
Source:
RedAlert
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