§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the minimum wage will be implemented for company directors who wish to elect not to pay themselves a salary during periods of low or negative profits. [101836]
§ Mr. Alan JohnsonCompany Directors are office holders. Office holders are not covered by national minimum wage legislation, which applies to employees and other workers. Only in exceptional circumstances will16W office holders also have employment contracts making them "workers" for the purposes of employment law. If a company director chooses to work for a company under such an arrangement, his or her right to the minimum wage is the same as that of any other worker. There is no suspension of this right due to the company's hardship.