The east London companies that didn’t pay the minimum wage

A market research firm is one of many businesses named and shamed on a government list of employers failing to pay the minimum wage.

There have been 202 employers listed nationally who have failed to pay their workers almost £5 million in a breach of national minimum wage law, leaving around 63,000 workers out of pocket.

After investigations between 2017 and 2019, the businesses listed have since paid back what they owe to their staff and have also faced financial penalties.

In Newham just two were listed.

Employer Network (Field Marketing & Promotions) Company Limited, under the trading name JYL Hand to Hand, operates within the E3 postcode.

It was found that the firm owed £661.37 to 14 workers between November 2013 and April 2018.

Elsewhere, M R Academy Limited, which ran Sugarcoat Nails in the E15 postcode, disolved in December 2019.

The employer owed £1,391.42 to three workers between June 2018 and December 2018.

Kevin Hollinrake, the minister for enterprise, markets and small business, said: “Paying the legal minimum wage is non-negotiable and all businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working staff.

“Most businesses do the right thing and look after their employees, but we’re sending a clear message to the minority who ignore the law: pay your staff properly or you’ll face the consequences.”