New minimum wages for trainees

New minimum wages for trainees

"From Wednesday 25 June, people doing recognised industry training while at work have to be paid at least the minimum wage of $6.80 an hour", the Employment Relations Service's Principal Labour Inspector, Muriel Kelly, said today. "Previously trainees have been exempt from minimum wage regulations."

"New regulations issued under the Minimum Wage Act mean that trainees aged 16 and over are entitled to a minimum training wage of $6.80 per hour. This applies when a trainee, under their employment agreement, is doing 60 credits a year in an industry programme which is relevant to their job and registered on the National Qualifications Framework."

From 25 June trainees who are earning less than $6.80 an hour will need to have their wages increased to at least that rate. If trainees and their employers have already agreed to pay rates higher than $6.80, those agreements will not be affected by the training minimum wage," she said.

The current adult minimum wage is $8.50 an hour, and the youth minimum wage (for 16-17 year olds) is $6.80 an hour. These rates took effect from 24 March 2003. The minimum training wage is the same as the youth minimum wage, at $6.80 an hour. However, the minimum training wage will apply to all trainees, regardless of their age.

ENDS

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