ROGUE employers who refuse to pay the National Minimum Wage face a £200 fine for every worker involved.
The fresh crackdown follows evidence that thousands of workers were underpaid last year as firms flouted minimum wage regulations.
Employers who fail to pay the statutory rate, currently £5.35 an hour, risk a criminal prosecution and a fine of up to £5,000.
But the Government today toughened the sanctions, announcing that employers face a £200 fine for every worker they underpay.
Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said: "Workers have the right to a decent minimum wage and we are determined they get it. To those employers avoiding the minimum wage, the message is don't pay it and you'll pay the fine'.
"The vast majority of good employers need to know they are operating on a level playing field.
"These measures will help deliver that."
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