A RECORD number of Edinburgh employers have signed up for Living Wage accreditation since the capital committed to becoming a Living Wage City.
Since November 2021, 58 organisations have now committed to pay the Real Living Wage throughout Edinburgh, with 42 employers accredited during the first five months of this year - including the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), the whisky company Glenmorangie, George Watson’s College and the charity Age Scotland.
Councillor Jane Meagher, convener of housing, homelessness and fair work for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s really positive that so many employers have been inspired by our new Living Wage City status. We’ve already doubled the number of organisations signing up, directly responding to our call to join us in making Edinburgh fairer. We want to see this trend continue.
“We all have a part to play in making sure Edinburgh’s economic recovery from Covid results in a fairer society. We have a commitment to end poverty in Edinburgh by the year 2030, but face challenges with the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy costs.
"By signing up to be a Living Wage employer, employers can show how much they value their workers and the financial security they deserve.”
Living Wage Scotland’s Christine McCaig also commented: “Nobody should experience in-work poverty and the Living Wage is a welcome step towards stamping out unfair working practices.
“The ‘City Status’ Edinburgh received last year is a sign of how much the capital values workers and the Council’s commitment to becoming a fairer society. Being a Living Wage accredited employer has benefits for organisations, too. It shows care and commitment and can lead to greater retainment of skilled employees.
“It’s great to see such a surge in sign-ups and we should continue to aim high. Let’s work towards seeing every Edinburgh organisation accredited to help end poverty in our city.”
