Advocates for the real living wage will unite in Edinburgh in the City Chambers to host Scotland’s first Living Wage Places Network event. Over 70 delegates from 16 UK towns, boroughs and cities will join the City of Edinburgh Council tomorrow (Thursday 25 May) to call for employers to offer “a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work”.
Together, they hope to work towards making the Living Wage the norm in each of their local areas as part of the inaugural conference organised by the Living Wage Foundation and Living Wage Scotland.
Edinburgh’s selection as host city follows the Scottish Capital’s recognition as a Living Wage City in 2020. Over 630 Edinburgh-based employers have signed up to pay the living wage, building on a commitment made by the city to continue to boost the number of businesses which become accredited.
Councillor Jane Meagher, Edinburgh’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, is Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Living Wage Action Group and will open the event. She said:
“With the cost of living crisis serving as a stark reminder of what life on low pay means for workers, tackling in-work poverty together has never been more vital.“
Kat Brogan, Managing Director of Mercat Tours and Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Living Wage Action Group said:
“The Real Living Wage is a crucial element of ‘Real Living’ – a happy, healthy, fulfilling life.”
Clare Goff, Senior Project Manager, Living Wage Places for the Living Wage Foundation, said:
“Scotland is the birthplace of the Living Wage Places movement…This event will bring our network together for the first time to share learning and expand our impact.“