Aberdeen’s living wage action group has launched a campaign to double the city’s number of living wage employers.
The launch of the project at a Community Planning Aberdeen Responsible Business event coincides with Living Wage Week
It is hoped today’s announcement will encourage more employers to join the movement to ensure workers earn enough to meet their needs.
It will involve a mixture of employers and stakeholders from across the public, private and third sectors.
Research from the Smith Institute found that if 25% of low earners had their pay raised to the real living wage, it could deliver a £3 million boost to Aberdeen’s local economy through increased consumer spending.
What is the Living Wage?
The real living wage is the only UK wage rate calculated according to the costs of living.
In September, it rose to £10.90 per hour in response to the cost of living crisis.
This rate is significantly higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which is £9.50 per hour.
There are over 2,900 accredited living wage employers in Scotland, with more than 70 accredited employers in Aberdeen.
However, thousands of workers in the city still earn less than a real living wage.
In June, Aberdeen City Council was even accused of “consistently” advertising jobs below real living wage.
‘A huge step in the right direction’
But Aberdeen City Council’s spokesman on anti-poverty and inequality matters, including the real living wage, Christian Allard, said: “This is a huge step in the right direction for the city.
“It supports the workforce of Aberdeen having to face today’s cost of living crisis.
“We urge employers across all sectors to become a part of and support the movement towards making Aberdeen a real living wage City.”
Rachel Morrison-McCormick, Living Wage Scotland’s project co-ordinator said: “We hope to see many more employers joining the likes of Aberdeen Performing Arts, Burness Paull and Wood plc by becoming accredited.”
Living Wage Scotland was established in 2014 by the Poverty Alliance with the aim of increasing the number of employers in Scotland who are recognised for paying their staff the real living wage.
Its main funder is the Scottish Government. If you are an employer looking to transition to the real living wage, visit Scottish Enterprises Fair Work Tool.
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