Abolition of wages councils and the introduction of a national minimum wage with particular reference to British hotels

Abstract

This paper compares and contrasts the initial impact of the abolition of wages councils in 1993 on pay policy, pay practice and pay structures in small proprietor-run and group-owned hotels. The broad implications of abolition and labour market deregulation within the hotel sector are also considered. Finally, there is a brief discussion about the prospect of reregulation in 1998 in the form of a National Minimum Wage, a measure which has won an increasing level of support from employers across the hospitality industry.