Monday July 7, 04:16 PM
MPs Urged To Back Tips Campaign
By Sky News
Waiters and waitresses want more help from the Government to stop bosses pocketing their tips or using the money to top up their pay. The Unite union is campaigning for legal "loopholes" to be closed and is asking MPs to put pressure on ministers
to take action.
It is angry some "rogue" employers keep some or even all money left as tips in restaurants and bars.
And others count the cash towards staff pay rates.
Waiting staff were due to descend on parliament where they were set to ask: 'why are we waiting?'
Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary of Unite, has called on Business Secretary John Hutton to stop employers "ripping off" low paid workers.
He added: "He must act to close the loophole in the minimum wage law which means that bad employers are pocketing the money customers have left for staff.
"Unite is appalled that many of the most expensive places to dine out in the UK are operating opaque practises.
"They result in staff getting a very small proportion, if any, of the money that customers have generously left for them."
A spokeswoman for the Department for Business said: "John Hutton has already said he is committed to finding the most appropriate way to make tipping fairer and more transparent.
"We are already looking very carefully at this issue to see what options are available and hope to make an announcement on this shortly.
"It is important to remember that under the current law all workers are entitled to receive the minimum wage already and no one can be paid any less."
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