Employers encouraged to pay their workers the living wage

Fife companies have been urged to follow the local authority in paying the living wage.

Fife Council has been an accredited living wage employer for more than a year and is working with its suppliers to help them achieve the same.

As Living Wage Week and Fife Business Week coincide, local firms are being encouraged to follow suit.

Council co-leader David Alexander said: “We know local businesses face financial challenges, just as we do.

“But to create a fairer and more prosperous Fife for everyone, we must address low pay across all sectors, particularly as Universal Credit threatens to remove more money from our communities.

“Research shows paying the living wage benefits employers as well as the employees, as they are able to attract, retain and motivate staff.

“A workforce with more money in their pockets helps boost the local economy as people spend more locally, too.”

Glenrothes is aiming to gain living wage town status, before the approach is rolled out Fife-wide by the end of 2019.

Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly said: “With inflation rising and the budgets of families across Scotland being squeezed, paying the real living wage is more important than ever.

“We are delighted there are such strong ambitions to increase the number of accredited living wage employers in Fife, and we are keen to support local activity that will see even more workers receive a wage that is enough to afford a decent life.”

For information about the Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative go to scottishlivingwage.org.