Waiting staff lowest paid in UK

Waiting staff are the lowest paid employees in the UK, according to new analysis from the GMB.

The union’s research revealed that waiters and waitresses take home an average of £11,303, almost two thirds lower than the UK average wage of £29,999.

Directors and chief executives of major organisations earn an average of £214,000 annually, 714% of the UK average wage, the study showed.

Paul Kenny, GMB general secretary said: “There are some people at the top earning 40 and 50 times those at the bottom. We are asked to believe that those at the top need to be 'incentivised' by multi-million pay packages to maintain a dynamic economy, while at the same time those at the bottom in the public sector must make sacrifices for the good of the economy.

"GMB members do not buy this logic. Those at the top are unnecessarily being paid too much and there is no evidence that there is any benefit from this except to line the pockets of an elite. 

“GMB wants to see the tax system used to even out the rewards and the National Minimum Wage to rise to £7 per hour to help those at the bottom,” he added.

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By Daniel Thomas

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