The Government just released a list of 350 British businesses that have failed to pay their staff the national minimum and living wage. Who’s topping the list? Popular retailer Debenhams.

Debenhams was accused of underpaying a whopping £135,000 to its 12,000 workers. And while the company claims it was a technical error, the mass underpayment was only fixed after a government audit -- not a good look for a company that claims it is “committed to the National Minimum Wage.”  

To combat employers docking wages, the Government has taken to a policy of “naming and shaming” worst offenders since 2013. But naming and shaming only works if businesses know that we’re watching. That’s why we need to come together to show Debenhams we’re ready to hold it accountable to paying all its workers a living wage.

Call on Debenhams to make a public promise to ensure a living wage for all of its workers.

Debenhams may be a worst offender, but the crisis of underpayment runs deep. In total, the Government reported the list of businesses underpaid a total of £1m. With the rising cost of living making it harder to make ends meet, it should be up to Government to ensure workers are earning what they’re legally owed.

Business Minister Margot James said the list should send “the clear message to employers that minimum wage abuses will not go unpunished.” But critics say Government hasn’t done enough to prosecute employers who fail to pay the legal minimum -- with only 13 such prosecutions happening since 2007.  

That’s why it falls on the rest of us to make sure businesses know that underpaying workers comes at a cost. Let’s come together to tell Debenhams: we won’t do business with companies that underpay their workers!

Demand Debenhams make a public promise to ensure a living wage for all of its workers.