24 January 2000

Press Release

Sikh Woman wins action against employer over minimum hourly wage rate

Birmingham Industrial Tribunal, Monday 24 January 2000

A Sikh woman, Gurdev Kaur, has won an action against her employer at the Industrial Tribunal, Newhall St, Birmingham, on Monday, 24 January 2000, for not paying the minimum hourly wage rate and also unfair dismissal (Tribunal: 0121-236-6051).

The Tribunal heard that her employer Amdertex Ltd, based at Willenhall (near Wolverhampton), only paid about £2 per hour, instead of the minimum wage of £3.60 per hour.

The employer makes shirts, and employs 60-70 mainly Asian women, and has an Investors In People award. Gurdev Kaur had worked there for about 2.5 years, putting buttons on shirts.

The successful outcome at the Industrial Tribunal will send a strong signal to Asian employers in the clothing industry not to underpay their workers, most of whom happen to be women.

Kashmir Singh LL.B, LL.M 0421-507055

General Secretary

For further information please contact:-

1. Avtar Singh (son of Gurdev Kaur) 01922-658080

2. Savraj Singh Bains BA, MA 01902-821311 / 01902-337357 / 0797-0647215 (M)

www.british-sikh-fed.org.uk website serving the 600,000 British Sikh Community

email: british.sikh.fed@talk21.com

British Sikh Federation, PO Box 242, Wolverhampton WV4 5DH