HAVING just become unemployed once again, I was looking at the jobs on offer in the local jobcentre.

I found one vacancy that infuriated me - for a fully-conversant computer user with experience of a wide range of software, to be a Web developer, with a wage, though negotiable, of a suggested minimum of £7,000 a year.

This figure is below the national minimum wage required by law. Considering the skills required, it is also derisory.

It may be suggested that the bonus which was said to be available would bring the wages up to the legally-required figure. But as we are always told when the heads of industry get their outrageous salary increases, the greater part is made up of bonus and should not be regarded as something that will be paid year-on-year.

So if it is not part of salary for the chiefs, then it cannot be regarded as part of salary for the indians.

I am sure that the firm advertising this post will be complaining that there is a shortage of skills in the area. What they mean is that they cannot attract a skilled worker for a pittance.

ROBIN BROOKER, Essex Street, Accrington.

FOOTNOTE: Lynne Henry, section manager of the Jobcentre's central vacancies department based in Burnley, said £7,000 per annum was above the minimum wage of £3 an hour for a person aged 18 to 21. She added: "This employer has given us verbal assurances that anyone who is over 21 will be given the minimum wage of £3.60 an hour, which for a 38-hour week is £7,113."

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