Commentary on Sections National Minimum Wage Section 14: Voluntary workers
80.Voluntary workers are a special class of workers who are exempt from the NMW. Section 14 amends section 44 of NMWA 1998 to broaden the type of expenses which can be paid to voluntary workers without triggering entitlement to the NMW to include expenses which are incurred in order to enable the voluntary worker to perform his duties and are reasonably so incurred.
81.As with expenses incurred in the performance of duties, both expenses which have actually been incurred or expenses which have been reasonably estimated as likely to be or to have been so incurred can be paid to voluntary workers without triggering entitlement to the NMW.
82.New subsection (1A)(c) provides that accommodation expenses cannot be paid to voluntary workers. The effect of this amendment is to maintain the existing treatment of accommodation expenses under NMWA 1998. Whilst accommodation expenses cannot be paid, under 44(1)(b) of NMWA 1998 such accommodation as is reasonable in the circumstances of the employment can be provided directly to voluntary workers without triggering entitlement to the NMW.