Closed petition End age-based wage discrimination - Equalise minimum wages for all ages

Closed on 27 April 2021

I work in retail and earn the minimum wage. I am trying to support my education and save for my future which hopefully will include starting my own business. I work the same hours as many of my colleagues doing the same work but at the end of the month I get paid significantly less than older staff.

If I, aged 19, go into a shop and buy a sandwich it costs £2.50. If someone aged 24 goes into the same shop and buys the same sandwich it still costs £2.50.

If I work for minimum wage I earn £6.45 an hour. If a 24-year old does the exact same work they would be payed £8.20.

It is illegal to pay someone differently based on their gender or race so how is it acceptable to discriminate based on age.

Young people do not need less money to live, and the same work should equal the same wage.