This week is Living Wage Week, the annual celebration of the Living Wage movement.
The Living Wage campaign is an independent movement of businesses, organisations and people who believe a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. Employers choose to pay the real Living Wage on a voluntary basis – it provides an ethical benchmark for responsible pay.
KEY WORKERS
2020 has been a difficult year for many. Covid-19 turned ‘business as normal’ on its head and it became increasingly apparent who our key workers are; care workers, NHS staff, delivery drivers, supermarket assistants and many more, all of whom have kept us going.
Unfortunately, research has revealed that 1.3 million of these key workers in the UK have been found to be earning less than a real Living Wage and are in insecure working conditions. This included over half of care workers who are on the frontline of the crisis.
This Living Wage Week we want to thank those that have committed to paying essential staff a real Living Wage and continue our thanks to all these essential workers for the important jobs they do, day in, day out.
We need key workers and they need a real Living Wage.
LIVING WAGE WEEK – 9-15 NOVEMBER 2020
Usually during Living Wage Week new rates are announced, employers host events and politicians celebrate the movement.
This year things will be a little different but there are a number of online events and celebrations taking place through the week.
WALES EVENTS
Monday 9 November 8.30 am – Living Wage Week Wales Launch
An online event that will launch Living Wage Week in Wales with the First Minister announcing the new rate and celebrations of success stories from the last year and looking ahead to the 2020-21 campaign.
Monday 9 November 2 pm – Living Wage West Wales with Burns Nutrition
Burns Pet Nutrition invite West Wales employers to join them to showcase Living Wage Champions and connect with those working on the same agenda in the region.
Monday 9 November 2 pm – Living Wage North Wales with DEG
DEG invite you to an event that aims to strengthen the employer network in North Wales and provide the opportunity to discuss ambitions for the region.
Thursday 12 November 10 am – 11.55 am Cynnal Cymru and WLGA Local Authorities Forum on Living Wage Accreditation and Living Wage Places
A joint event between WLGA and Cynnal Cymru as part of Living Wage Week to bring together Heads of Procurement from Local Authorities to discuss the value of Living Wage accreditation, the benefits of becoming a Living Wage Place and bring the opportunity to have a focused discussion on barriers to accreditation and provide tailored support.
Thursday 12 November 1 pm – 3 pm – Roundtable on Fairwork
A closed discussion chaired by Lee Waters MS to bring together Welsh Government, local governments, trade unions and the private and voluntary sectors to explore the creation of a collaborative and integrated action plan for accelerating progress on Fair Work in Wales.
The Living Wage is supported in Wales by WCVA’s sister organisation, Cynnal Cymru.
If you have any questions regarding Living Wage Week in Wales or would like to get involved please contact bethan@cynnalcymru.com.
You can follow and support Living Wage Week on social media using #LivingWageWeek and #WythnosCyflogByw.