25/04/2014

Council To Become Living Wage Employer

SDLP Councillor Claire Hanna has welcomed the news by Belfast City Council that it is to become a Living Wage employer.

The decision follows proposals brought by Councillor Hanna, and will make Belfast the first Living Wage Council in Ireland.

Commenting, Councillor Hanna said: "I am very pleased that the council has committed to becoming a Living Wage employer. Poverty continues to be a huge issue for the city, not least among families of those on low pay.

"The most recent research reveals our lowest earners have lost 38% of their disposable net income and with £4 billion due to be taken from welfare by 2015, 22% of households live in poverty.

"It is important that the council uses every power we currently have to assist poverty alleviation and helping those employees we are directly responsible for is a good start.

"I have also formally proposed that Belfast City Council avoids imposing exploitative Zero Hour Contracts – which promote instability and make it impossible to budget – on our staff.

"This now sets the bar higher for other councils become more responsible employers. I hope that other local authorities and their suppliers will follow Belfast's example and begin to tackle the issues affecting the working poor in a meaningful and tangible way."

(JP)

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