The Socialist 10 September 2008

Housing Crisis: Brown has no answers

End the wars and occupations

USA: Defying police, students walk out against the Republican national convention

US mortgage bank nationalisation - sign of deepening crisis

Scotland council tax to be scrapped

Scotland: Council pay battle at critical stage

Workers' anger surfaces at TUC

London bus workers inspired by strike

Fighting for decent pensions

In brief

Come to Socialism 2008!

May Day detainees fight for justice

No to post office closures

Boom to bust in Cardiff Bay

Fans pay for the success of the 'beautiful game'

Protest against harassment!

Fighting start to freshers fairs

Young workers ripped off

Bangor University students union fees referendum

Can we have 'the right to travel' - without adding to climate change?

Richard Dawkins: The genius of Charles Darwin, (Channel 4)

Thailand in grip of political deadlock

Previous issues, etc

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Young workers ripped off

A recent TUC report has exposed massive exploitation of young apprentices by unscrupulous employers, with the blessing of the New Labour government and the Low Pay Commission.

Jake Moore

An estimated 70% of apprentices who are learning skills in trades as diverse as construction, health care and retail are exempt from the already criminally low minimum wage rates. Apprentices under the age of 19, and older apprentices in their first year of training are entitled to a minimum weekly wage of just £80 per week. This falls to £50 a week in Wales, and a meagre £40 in Northern Ireland.

The TUC report estimates that in low-paid sectors, apprentice drop-out rates are as high as four out of ten. Furthermore, 5% of apprentices are still receiving less than the £80 per week minimum, and in some sectors, such as retail and customer services, apprentices reported receiving no wage at all!

Apprentices are the lifeblood of industry, helping replenish skilled positions as older workers retire or others leave their prospective trades. However, is it any wonder drop-out rates are so high when you consider the poverty pay and exploitation many apprentices encounter?

Bosses make their super-profits by exploiting workers' labour, but without a skilled workforce their profits would soon dry up. Construction union UCATT estimates that the construction industry requires 87,000 new recruits each year - without apprentices the industry would soon collapse - it is time apprentices are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Scrap minimum wage exemption for apprentices, as a step towards a minimum wage of £8 per hour for all. For an end to apprentices being used as cheap or free labour!
For apprentices' conditions to be brought in line with those of other workers.
Defend and expand the apprenticeship programme to provide high quality accessible training for all.

In this issue

Housing Crisis: Brown has no answers