A grieving Argyll family say they have been “humiliated” by the UK Government, which yesterday included a dead businessman in a list which “named and shamed” employers for failing to pay their workers the National Minimum Wage.
The late owner of The Light of India in Oban’s Stevenson Street, Abdul Muslim, died of kidney failure on June 21.
His son, Abdul Muslim jnr, yesterday denied claims that he owed one worker £927.60 and asked why the government is trying to “humiliate” his family and ruin their business.
A spokesman for the department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said: “We sincerely apologise to the proprietor’s family for any distress caused, we were unaware he had recently passed away.”
Mr Muslim snr opened the first Indian restaurant in Oban, which he operated for 34 years and held regular charity events to send help to people living in poverty in his homeland of Bangladesh.
Opening sealed envelopes in the presence of a Press and Journal reporter, Mr Muslim jnr, who works in the restaurant, displayed wage slips showing that they pay kitchen and waiting staff £7.20 an hour.
Mr Muslim jnr said: “I don’t know why they are saying this. My dad did a lot of charity work. He was a well respected man and to say this is wrong. I am surprised but what can I do?
“This was my dad’s business which was established over 34 years. He always did everything legally. I don’t know why they are trying to humiliate us, it is bad for business.”
The restaurant is in the process of being passed on to his wife, Mrs N Khatun.
Nearly 200 employers were named in the list.
Between them, the 198 companies owed more than £460,000 in arrears to staff, all of which has now been paid.
Some 23 on the latest list are based in Scotland, including hairdressers and care providers among others.
The current minimum wage for workers aged 21 to 24 is £6.70 an hour, going down to £3.87 for under-18s and £3.30 for an apprentice.
Those 25 and over are entitled to the government’s national living wage, introduced in April, which is £7.20 an hour.
Business Minister Margot James said the Conservatives were determined to ensure everyone gets paid the wages they are owed.
She added: “It is not acceptable that some employers fail to pay at least the minimum wage their workers are entitled to.
“So we’ll continue to crack down on those who ignore the law, including by naming and shaming them.”
