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Living Wage



In our UK travels, we are consciously supporting small businesses that pay the Living Wage. 

What is the Living Wage you ask? 

It is a fair days pay that you can realistically afford to live on, for a day of hard work. The UK, like Australia and the US has a minimum wage that is inadequate.

In the UK the statutory minimum wage is £7.70 for those under 25 and £8.21 for those over 25. This wage rate has been established through government negotiation with business, unions, etc. 

The Living Wage Foundation (www.livingwage.org.uk) has established, based on the cost of living (basket of goods and services) a living wage. This wage is £9 for the UK and £10.55 for London where the cost of living is higher. 

Why would companies pay more than they are required to? Simple, the reputational return on investment and the engagement and retention of staff is paying dividends. 

Who are paying more? 1/3 of FTSE 100 companies are paying their staff the living wage. That represents more than 5000 UK companies and 180,000 employees. 

In Australia the minimum statutory wage is $740.80 per week which equals $19.49 per hour. Shamefully, many employees in the Australian hospitality, retail and other sectors are not being paid their minimum statutory entitlement.  

If Australia adopted a Living Wage, would you consciously support these businesses? 


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