The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is the minimum hourly rate that employers must pay their workers in the UK. The hourly rate that is paid depends on the age of the employee and if they are an apprentice. The current rates in Northern Ireland as of April 2023 are:

• National Living Wage (23 years old and over): £10.42
• 21-22 years old: £10.18
• 18-20 years old: £7.49
• Under 18 years old: £5.28
• Apprentices under 19 or 19 or over who are in the first year of apprenticeship: £5.28

It is important to note that no worker can be paid less than the NMW or NLW, but some agricultural workers must be paid more than the NMW or NLW because there is a higher Agricultural Minimum Wage rate. The rates change in April each year. If an employee thinks they are being paid below the minimum wage rate, they can get help and report their employer to HMRC.