C-Change, a Glasgow-based care organisation has become an accredited Living Wage employer, increasing the wages of 208 staff members. Their accreditation will also see 173 front line care workers receive a pay rise to the real Living Wage.
C-Change works with people that have learning disabilities, mental health issues and other additional support needs and the work they carry out is more important now than ever.
This commitment bucks the trend in a traditionally low paid and insecure industry. A recent Resolution Foundation report releveled care workers earn significantly lower than the national average. 46% of care workers in Scotland are paid less than the real Living Wage, compared to a nation average of 17%.
C-Change’s Living Wage commitment will see everyone aged 18 and over , regardless of whether they are direct employees or third-party contracted staff, receive a minimum hourly wage of £9.30.
Spokesperson from C-Change said:
“From its introduction, C-Change Scotland has believed that it was only right to pay our frontline staff the Scottish Living Wage.
“As a values-driven organisation, we believe in providing a wage to our frontline staff that supports the cost of living. It is an investment that we are proud to be making.
“This accreditation by Living Wage Scotland means that we are making a public commitment to do the right thing by our colleagues. It also means that we stand with other organisations who share our conviction. We are pleased to be in such company.”
Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills said:
“I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to C-Change, who do such great work in our communities, on achieving their accreditation as a real Living Wage employer. They are joining a growing number of Living Wage accredited employers across the country.
“Scotland’s dedicated social care workers are on the frontline of our national response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Their work is always hugely valued, and never more so than now. Our social care sector workers are doing incredible work, and it is absolutely right that they are paid the real Living Wage.
“This follows the Scottish Government’s recent joint announcement with COSLA to ensure there is no delay in adult social care workers receiving the uplift to the new Living Wage of £9.30 from April.”
Peter Kelly, Poverty Alliance Director said:
“For too long care work has been undervalued and underpaid. The current coronavirus crisis has highlighted just how important these workers are, so it is right that C-Change is making this public commitment to their workforce. In the months ahead, as we begin to move out of this crisis, it will be important more employers follow the C-Change lead. All employers paying the real Living Wage is the way we can start renewing our economy.”
Jack Evans, Living Wage Scotland Manager said:
“Care work is skilled, demanding and complex. We are at a crossroads now where we can choose to see care work as a respected profession with value and status or continue to chronically undervalue the men and women who contribute so much.
“I am delighted that C-Change have announced their accreditation and increased the wages of over 200 workers. These workers are at the front line of this crisis and, alongside their safety, fair renumeration is paramount. Every worker deserves at least the real Living Wage and I hope employers will follow C-Change’s lead and choose to pay a wage that reflects the cost of living.”