A fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work shouldn’t be too much to expect. However, the unacceptable reality is that in 2018, around a quarter of all workers across Sheffield City Region are paid less than the Living Wage.
That is why Sheffield City Region Mayor Dan Jarvis has committed to champion the Living Wage for all employees of the Sheffield City Region and those companies that they contract with.
The Living Wage is the wage calculated according to what people need to earn to make ends meet.
On Monday 5 November to mark Living Wage Week, businesses from across Yorkshire and Humber are being invited to an event to find out more about the benefits of offering the real Living Wage.
Sheffield City Region are joining forces with the Living Wage Foundation to host an event where businesses will be able to:
· hear about the benefits from current Living Wage employers
· gain valuable insight and hear the real-life experiences of an employee who is paid the real Living Wage
· find out details of the new rate which are released on the 5 November.
Mayor Dan Jarvis, said: “We need to do more to help the lowest paid in our society. People who care for our elderly, produce our food and look after our children. It is only right and fair that they should earn enough to pay their bills and feed their families.
“The fact that the National Minimum Wage hasn’t kept up with the rise in the cost of living means that around 145,000 people here in the Sheffield City Region do not earn enough to cover the basics of housing, transport, childcare and living expenses.
“That is why I have committed to championing the real Living Wage for the Sheffield City Region and those companies that contract with us. I am delighted to be hosting this event with the Living Wage Foundation to help businesses across the region really understand the benefits of offering the real Living wage for them and their employees.
“I would encourage all businesses across the region to sign up for this event and find out more about the Living Wage.”
Sara Johnson, Programme Manager for the Living Wage Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Dan Jarvis MP, the Mayor of the Sheffield City Region to bring together local businesses to talk about the importance of the real Living Wage.
"We know businesses and communities can benefit when people are paid the real Living Wage.”
