Derry businesses involved in the hospitality trade, particularly in the restaurant sector, have been called on to review how they operate the distribution of “tips” to staff.
The call comes from Sinn Fein election candidate, Liam Friel, who revealed he had received complaints from workers in Derry who claimed they did not always get “tips” left for them in restaurants.
Mr Friel said he was “shocked” at how widespread the practice was after taking “soundings” from workers in the hospitality trade in the city.
Mr Friel added: “When people leave a ‘tip’ in a restaurant they believe that money will eventually end up being evenly split between the workers.
“Many of these workers do long unsociable hours on low rates of pay and customers often reward good service with giving a tip of a few pounds at the end of the night.
Mr Friel said was “alarming” to find out that in some cases workers did not get their “tips” at all while others only got a “very small percentage.”
He added: “I certainly do not want to discourage people from leaving a ‘tip’ – quite the opposite – but what I would appeal for is that workers get the rewards they deserve.”
Mr Friel concluded: “I would encourage workers in the hospitality industry to join the UNITE union, at least that way they will have some form of representation on their rights.
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