Welfare Reform on the Web (May 2002): Minimum Wage - UK

HOMEWORKERS AND THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE: EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXTILES AND CLOTHING INDUSTRY

J. Heyes and A. Gray

Work, Employment and Society, vol. 15, 2001, p. 863-873

Study investigates the initial impact of the National Minimum Wage on homeworkers in the textiles and clothing industry, using data from a survey of Asian homeworkers living in West Yorkshire. Evidence suggests that the minimum wage has resulted in pay increases for most workers surveyed who define themselves as "self-employed". Piece-workers have fared less well then those paid an hourly rate.