Middleton-based Chi Yip Group fined after failing to pay workers minimum wage

A Middleton business has been named and shamed after it was revealed that they failed to pay more than a dozen workers the minimum wage.

Chi Yip Group Ltd., based at Greengate Industrial Park, were found by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills to have withheld £15,566.78 in payments by failing to pay 13 staff the National Minimum Wage.

Stanley Chan, a manager at Chi Yip, told Rochdale Online that the company’s failings were made in error and down to a "big technical mistake". He said the employees involved were paid at apprentice rate, but once they became eligible for minimum wage an error was made and their wages were not updated.

“It is a mistake that has been overlooked by our company. We are a company of perfect corporate governance and perfect taxation compliance,” he said. “We were glad when the minimum wage inspector came. We gave them full cooperation. We are glad that they found the mistake.”

Mr Chan said that he believes the amount of close to £16,000 for missed payments may not be correct.

Chi Yip Group were fined for the failure.

Business Minister Jo Swinson said: “Paying less than the minimum wage is illegal, immoral and completely unacceptable.

“If employers break this law they need to know that we will take tough action by naming, shaming and fining them as well as helping workers recover the hundreds of thousands of pounds in pay owed to them.”