COMPANIES in south Essex who failed to pay their employees the minimum wage have been named.

A total of three independent businesses based in Basildon and Southend were found to have underpaid employees on the minimum wage over the last few years, according to data released by the government’s business department.

West House Care Home in Southend was the worst offender in the district, having failed to pay a combined total of £1,774 to 13 employees between April 2014 and March 2016.

In Basildon, Waves Hand Car Wash, owned by Fast Car Wash Ltd, underpaid three employees a total of £1,444 back in 2016.

Retailer Plaistow Broadway Filling Stations Ltd, based in Billericay, has also been included on the government list having failed to pay a worker £536 between July 2016 and April 2017.

Other big name companies such as chain restaurant TGI Friday’s, which has an outlet in Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park, was also revealed to have failed to pay employees a minimum wage.

The company was understood to have failed to paid a combined total of £59,348 to 2,302 of its members of staff.

A TGI Fridays spokesman said: “To confirm, TGI Fridays does pay the National Minimum Wage hourly rate.

“The total figure quoted in today’s HMRC list relates to reimbursing team members a shoe allowance.

“This is a historic payment which was paid last year, and we have since reimbursed team members for the purchase of their black uniform shoes.”

Southend councillor Ann Holland, responsible for culture, tourism and the economy, said: “I am very surprised because I thought this kind of thing had stopped.

“It’s really disappointing to hear that there has been lapses and that people haven’t been paid correctly.

“I just hope those involved have rectified it and paid the money owed.”