Beeswax company Abeego pays its staff living wage

Victoria-based Abeego, which manufactures beeswax wraps to protect food, has now committed to paying its nearly 20 staff a minimum of $20.50 per hour.

“I’ve been dreaming of this day,” said founder Toni Desrosiers. “In terms of sustainability, our staff is our No. 1 resource. This is an investment that supports our people, our company, our community and our values."

The move brings Abeego in line with Living Wage Canada’s assertion that $20.50 an hour is the wage that two working parents with two young children must earn to meet basic expenses (including rent, child care, food and transportation), once government taxes, credits, deductions and subsidies have been taken into account.

The minimum wage in B.C. is $12.65 per hour