Minimum wage rate is right, says employment law expert

Friday 16th April 2010, 2:30PM BST.

AO Hall partner Advocate Elaine Gray. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0849963) SETTING a minimum wage of £6 an hour will ensure local businesses are not disadvantaged by its future introduction, it has been claimed.

If Commerce and Employment’s rates are agreed by the States, workers aged 19 or over will have to be paid at least £6 and those between 16 and 19 £4.25 an hour from 1 October.

A number of deputies have already spoken out by suggesting the levels should have been set higher, while some believe the States should not be interfering in the free market.

But employment law specialist AO Hall partner Elaine Gray (pictured) believes it is at a level which works fairly for both the employee and employer.