TEENAGERS are being exploited by businesses and should be paid a minimum wage, a union has claimed.

Shopworkers' union Usdaw has welcomed the Government's indication that it is willing to bring 16 and 17-year-olds under minimum wage legislation.

They say it will bring to an end "years of shocking wage rates".

Last year, the Bolton Evening News reported the case of a Bolton youngster who was found to be earning £77 for a 40-hour week -- just £1.92 an hour.

Usdaw leader Sir Bill Connor hailed the Government's stance as "a significant breakthrough" for this age group. He said the union had been a leading light in the campaign for a National Minimum Wage for 16 and 17-year olds and had highlighted poverty level wages paid by many employers.

The current minimum wage structure sets two rates -- one for workers aged 18 to 21 and a higher rate for those aged 22 and above. But there is no rate for 16 and 17-year-olds.

The union has been one of many organisations asked to submit verbal and written evidence to the Low Pay Commission, which has been consulting on plans for a minimum wage for that age group.

The Government has opposed such a move on the grounds that firms would not hire younger workers and training for future careers would suffer as a result.

But, in its submission to the commission last week, the Department of Trade and Industry said: "It would be wrong to allow 16 and 17-year-olds in employment, the youngest workers, to be exploited through low wages."

Sir Bill said: "Our evidence showed that many 16 and 17-year-olds are exploited by employers looking to be beyond the law.

"They offer shocking wage rates, often with little or no training, in order to avoid paying the minimum rates that they must give to workers aged 18 or above.

"We must protect this vulnerable age group and we are pleased that the Government accepted this view in its evidence to the commission. It is a significant breakthrough in our campaign to protect 16 and 17-year-old workers."