The Centre for the Moving Image, which incorporates Edinburgh International Film Festival, Filmhouse Cinema and Café Bar (Edinburgh) and Belmont Filmhouse (Aberdeen) is now an accredited real Living Wage employer, which ensures all staff are paid at least the real Living Wage.
The real Living Wage pay rate will also apply to the EIFF Internship Programme, which is supported by Aberdeen Standard Investments.
The real Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually. This rate is higher than the statutory minimum for over 25s of £8.21 per hour introduced in April 2019. The Living Wage is calculated according to what a full-time employee and their family needs to make ends meet, and accounts for private rental costs, council tax, and the costs of food and public transport.
Jamie Hepburn, Fair Work Minister, said:
“I would like to congratulate CMI for becoming an accredited real Living Wage employer. The real Living Wage is good for the employees who receive it as it ensures their pay covers the cost of living. It also brings significant benefits to the employers themselves, including enhanced productivity, reduced absenteeism and improved staff morale. I would encourage all employers to follow the example of CMI and become accredited Living Wage employers.”
Sandy Begbie, Chair of the Board of CMI, said:
“We are delighted to gain accreditation as a real Living Wage employer across all elements of the CMI – Filmhouse Cinema, and Café Bar Belmont Filmhouse and the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Our people are the face of our organisation and in paying the real Living Wage we are truly investing in our people. I am sure our customers and audiences will also recognise that we, as CMI, are doing the right thing whilst also improving the lives of our people.”
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance said:
“The real Living Wage is one of the key tools at our disposal to help make an impact on levels of in-work poverty in Scotland. There is a strong business case for paying the real Living Wage; but crucially it allows those in work to become more included in society, better provide for their families, and feel that their value and hard work is recognised by their employer. We are delighted to congratulate CMI on becoming a Living Wage employer. I hope more organisations follow their lead by becoming accredited”.