Owners or operators of restaurants, cafes and pubs in the UK will no longer be able to withhold any portion of the tips left by customers for waiters and service staff.

The practice, in common use, will soon become illegal, it includes a new rule announced by the Tory government of Boris Johnson to shelter a scandal that came to light publicly several years ago.

The government measure, illustrated by the Deputy Minister of Labor Paul Scully, will require by law the payment of the entire amount of tips (which usually on the island are calculated and automatically withheld in the account presented to patrons for an amount between 10 and 15% ) to employees. And it should come into effect next year.

In case of violations, the owners can be taken to court, forced to pay higher sums and sentenced to administrative sanctions with the payment of fines.

The measure aims to improve guarantees for waiters and staff in the sector at a time when the United Kingdom is facing a problem of job vacancies (around one million) linked to the departure of more or less specialized foreign staff who have removed from the country after Brexit.

In 2015, an investigation revealed the habit of various clubs and chains (such as Pizza Express, Cote Brasserie or Bill's) of withholding tips or subtracting 10% of "administrative costs" associated with credit card payments from the party. paid to employees. Practice not illegal, but which had aroused the indignation of trade unions and public opinion.

(Unioneonline / L)