Ash Denham MSP has launched a campaign calling for businesses in Edinburgh to commit to paying the real Living Wage and become accredited Living Wage employers.
Ms. Denham, who is the Scottish Government Minister for Community Safety, invited accredited Living Wage employers from her Edinburgh Eastern constituency to the Scottish Parliament for a roundtable discussion on the benefits of the real Living Wage for both employers and workers.
The MSP will be writing to over 100 local employers with information on the benefits of paying the voluntary rate, inviting them to consider Living Wage employer accreditation.
The Living Wage Scotland Team encourage local efforts to champion the real Living Wage and are keen to work with others on similar approaches.
Ash Denham, MSP Edinburgh Eastern said:
“I was delighted to invite Living Wage accredited employers to the Scottish Parliament Friday afternoon. Not only were we able to hear from employers on the benefits to the organisations on becoming accredited, but we were also able to hear first-hand from employees themselves about the significant difference it has made to their lives.
I will now make it a priority to engage directly with employers in Edinburgh Eastern to promote the benefits of becoming accredited and to understand any barriers which prevents them from doing so.
I would like to thank Living Wage Scotland and the Poverty Alliance for their support with Friday’s event and for working alongside my constituency office to promote the benefits of the Living Wage scheme.”
Jack Evans, Manager at Living Wage Scotland commented:
“We are a movement of over 1,700 Scottish employers who together want to go further than the government minimum to make sure that all their staff earn enough to live on.
We welcome local efforts to raise awareness of the positive benefits the real Living Wage can deliver for workers, businesses and communities. There are currently over 360 accredited Living Wage employers based in the city of Edinburgh, and we look forward working with many more on becoming accredited.”
Carla Tait, Kennel Assistant at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said:
“At first I was planning on putting the extra money aside for my wedding or towards fuel for the car but in reality I’ve found that I spent it more on socialising and treating myself, which I think has had a big impact on my mental wellbeing.
A lot of work in animal care is on minimum wage but it’s really hard work, both physically and emotionally, so being paid the Living Wage shows how much Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home appreciates us. I think everybody feels more valued. I was always proud to work here but this was an extra boost for everyone.”