A growing number of employers across the capital are committing to paying the Real Living Wage.
New numbers released today to mark Living Wage Week reveal that there are now 790 accredited employers, collectively employing over 221,000 workers across Edinburgh.
Since last year there have been more than 40 new accreditations in the city, resulting in 13,683 workers receiving a welcome boost to their incomes.
The Real Living Wage is an independently calculated rate based on the actual cost of living. It's paid voluntarily by employers and is updated annually to make sure hourly pay keeps up with the essential costs of housing, childcare, transport, and heating costs.
Living Wage week, which runs from 10 to 16 November, provides an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the movement to date, recognise its positive impact on workers and communities and to thank employers for maintaining their commitment, despite challenging business conditions.
Councillor Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener and Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Fair Work Action Group, said:
I’m delighted that every year an increasing number of employers in Edinburgh are committing to paying the Real Living Wage, meaning thousands more workers are earning a fair day’s pay. There are now 790 Living Wage Employers – up more than 40 on last year – and I’d like to thank each and every one for making the effort to sign up.
More than 80,000 residents in Edinburgh are struggling to make ends meet and earning a fair wage is key to tackling poverty and the rising costs of living. We want to continue working with employers to encourage them to commit to paying the Real Living Wage and Living Wage Week is a great opportunity to highlight this.
There’s still so much work to do but I’m really encouraged by the great strides made by employers across the city, despite facing their own pressures.
Kat Brogan, Managing Director of Mercat Tours and Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Fair Work Action Group said:
Employers in Edinburgh are continuing to put the wellbeing of their workers first by committing to paying the Real Living Wage. This is despite challenging economic conditions with rising business costs.
Paying the Real Living Wage is more important than ever. The cost of living continues to rise, and we are seeing persistent levels of poverty in the city, particularly in-work poverty.
We know that well paid, fair and secure work is one of the best and most sustainable routes out of poverty. By committing to paying the Real Living Wage, employers are doing their bit to support city-wide efforts to reduce levels of poverty.