Around
20 local employers and employees took part in a round table discussion on 16th
March about the Living Wage. It was attended by Emma Kosmin of the Living WageFoundation and David Clark, President of the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, and
chaired by Sir Richard Jolly. Following the meeting, the Chamber of Commerce
has offered its support, and some more businesses are in the process of
applying to be accredited as Living Wage employers.
It is important to distinguish between the
national living wage announced by the government, which is £7.20 per hour from
April 1st, for over 25s, and the Living Wage calculated for the Living Wage
Foundation, which is £8.25 outside London and applies to all employees over 18.
This is based on a more realistic estimation of what people have to earn to
sustain life for themselves and their families in a civilised society.
Sussex Community NHS Trust, which covers most of
Sussex including the Lewes area, became accredited to the Living Wage
Foundation in 2013 and employs 4,800 staff. Cleaners are included in their
staff list, not contracted out. The trust's decision to become a Living Wage
employer was welcomed by its workforce. A local residential home for adults
with severe disabilities pays the Living Wage – this is consistent with their
caring ethos: the home is like a family. This is more possible because it is a
charity, with no paid, profit-taking directors.
There may be signs of a
change in mindset among employers: an employee of a local larger business, part
of a chain, said that they were
now paid a small percentage over the minimum wage and this has shown in less
staff turnover, better morale and working atmosphere: 'exploitation does not
work'.
David Clark, President of Lewes Chamber of
Commerce, offered to help publicise the Living Wage via their newsletter. He has since applied for accreditation for his family jewellery business via
the Living Wage Foundation.
