Business as unusual

I'd be the last person in the world to defend businessmen who don't pay staff a legal wage.
Thornton on Thursday column with Peterborough Telegraph's deputy editor Nigel Thornton - peterboroughtoday.co.ukThornton on Thursday column with Peterborough Telegraph's deputy editor Nigel Thornton - peterboroughtoday.co.uk
Thornton on Thursday column with Peterborough Telegraph's deputy editor Nigel Thornton - peterboroughtoday.co.uk

It’s one thing being a wealth creator, another exploiting and getting rich at somebody else’s expense.

But I was a little perturbed by the Government’s naming and shaming of Peterborough employer Mr Mohan Sahota.

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Business minister Margot James in backing the exposure of 360 offending employers nationwide thundered: “We are sending the clear message that minimum wage abuses will not go unpunished.’’

Good for her standing up for the little man against the fat cats, I thought. But then I read Mr Sahota’s comments.

Mr Sahota, who owns Toni’s Fish Bar in Herlington, Orton Malborne responded: “I bought the business about a year ago and was not aware what people were being paid. My accountant raised the issue and we sorted it out and the money was paid.

“I think it is unfair to highlight one small business in this way.”

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I think he has a point. He’s not entirely blameless – it was his responsibility from day one of owning the business to ensure staff were paid a legal wage – but does his punishment fit his ‘crime’?

What a shame the Government doesn’t show the same zeal in dealing with hugely profitable tax avoiding big business as it obviously does with this city chippy... which now doesn’t even employ a single member of staff.