Minimum Wage Order: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn about your legal rights regarding the minimum hourly rate of pay and how to ensure you are being paid correctly.
The Minimum Wage Order establishes the legal minimum hourly rate of pay that must be provided to workers across the country. This order ensures that all adult employees receive a baseline level of compensation for their labor.
Who it's for
This scheme is designed for all adult employees. If you are an adult worker, you are covered by these protections to ensure you receive a legal minimum for your time and effort.
What you get
The primary benefit is the legal minimum hourly rate of pay. This acts as a safety net, ensuring that no matter the industry or the specific role, you are compensated at or above the established national standard for every hour worked.
What it costs you
There is no financial cost to the employee to receive this protection. The responsibility lies entirely with the employer, as paying the minimum wage is a mandatory requirement. It is not an optional benefit, but a legal obligation that employers must meet when paying their staff.
The catch to know
A common point of confusion involves training wages. In certain circumstances, training wages are lower than the standard minimum rate. You must be careful to verify your pay status; you should ensure you are not being paid a training wage if you are already a fully qualified worker.
How to apply
- Regularly review your payslips to confirm your current hourly rate.
- Compare your rate against the current legal minimum established by the government.
- Verify your qualification status to make sure you are not being incorrectly placed on a training wage.
- If you find you are being underpaid, contact a government body to report the issue and seek assistance.