TWO Glasgow businesses have been slammed by a government department after failing to pay some of their workers the minimum wage.

Hairdressing chain Rainbow Rooms International owed more than £4k to 29 workers according to a list naming and shaming employers who failed to pay staff the minimum wage from the UK Government Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

MooBoo Bubble Tea in the St Enoch’s Centre was also forced to pay back over £3k to 24 of their workers.

READ MORE: Glasgow Drug Consumption Room waiting for government 'green light'

The breaches took place between 2013 and 2018 and following investigations carried out by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) a total of £31k was found to be owed to 209 workers across Scotland.

Businesses have now been made to pay arrears back to staff.

Breaches are not often intentional and can happen when employees earning the minimum wage or slightly more have money deducted from their pay for uniform or training costs. It also happens when there has been an oversight of extra time worked such as overtime but the employer is still responsible for ensuring they pay staff correctly.

The UK Government Business minister, Paul Scully said:“Scottish employers can’t take their eye off the ball when it comes to upholding workers’ rights.

Glasgow Times:

“There is never an excuse to short-change workers and paying the minimum wage isn’t optional.

“It’s up to all employers in Scotland, including those on this list, to check government guidance and pay workers properly.”

Bryan Sanderson from the Low Pay Commission said:“These are very difficult times for all workers, particularly those on low pay who are often undertaking critical tasks in a variety of key sectors including care. The minimum wage provides a crucial level of support and compliance is essential for the benefit of both the recipients and our society as a whole.”

A spokesman for Rainbow Rooms International said: "This claim is a historical matter dating back to 2016, caused by a clerical error, which was picked up, investigated by us and was self-declared to HMRC and all monies were paid in full."

"We would stress that there was never any intent to underpay our employees."

Mooboo were approached for comment.