YOUNG people on government training schemes are being paid less than pounds -1.50 an hour in "on-the-job" training.
Despite Scottish Executive assurances that those involved in programmes such as modern apprenticeships will get the going rate for their roles, some teenage workers earn half the minimum wage that others of their age are guaranteed.
The Scottish Low Pay Unit (SLPU) has been inundated with calls from young workers stunned by their first wage packets - including many who are not receiving the proper training they were promised.
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) last night called for an overhaul of employment laws which allow unscrupulous employers to abuse the system by paying "slave" wages.
Since October, 16 and 17year-olds are to be paid at least pounds -3 per hour, but people on apprenticeships are exempted from the minimum wage.
Carol Murray, the SLPU's research officer, told The Herald yesterday that although a leaflet published by the executive promises "off-the-job learning with practical training" while being paid the "going rate", the reality was often very different.
"A high proportion of people on our helpline are young people on apprenticeships or other schemes who have just realised they are getting paid pounds -1.49 or whatever, " she said.
"In addition, they also often complain that they are not getting proper training. A lot of them are having a terrible time.
They just can't believe it. They phone up and we have to say, 'Sorry, but you are exempt from the minimum wage'."
She said that according to the government's minimum wage guide exemptions applied to people in the skillseekers, modern apprenticeships and other government training schemes such as Get Ready for Work for those aged under 19 - and for the first year of training for those aged 19-25.
In one case, a 17-year-old hairdresser in the skillseeker scheme received no training and was paid pounds -55 for a 40-hour week - pounds -1.37 per hour.
Ms Murray said the SLPU, a research and employment rights advice organisation, could not estimate how many of the 36,000 trainees on modern apprenticeships in Scotland were being taken advantage of.
The minimum wage is a reserved matter and the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry.
An executive spokesman denied the Helping You Meet the Costs of Learning leaflet was misleading young people by promising the "going rate".
He said: "It is a matter for employers how much they wish to pay their employees."
LOW RATES
A 17-year-old trainee van driver received pounds -50 allowance per week for working full-time hours.
A 17-year-old hairdressing worker was taken on under the skillseeker scheme, received no training, and was paid pounds -55 for a 40-hour week - pounds -1.37 per hour.
National minimum wage rates, age 16-17: pounds -3 per hour.
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