Description
The Living Wage Foundation is an organization at the heart of the independent movement of businesses and people that campaign for the idea that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.
Role in the future of work
The Foundation offers accreditation to employers that pay the independently calculated Living Wage rates to all staff in London and the UK, or those committed to an agreed timetable of implementation, by awarding the Living Wage Employer Mark. They provide evidence on living standards in the UK each November and offer advice to employers, service providers and employees campaigning for a wage that is enough to live on.
Growth to date
The campaign for a Living Wage has cross-party political support and is a movement of independent businesses, organizations and citizens who believe a fair day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay. It was started by Citizens UK - the national home of community organizing, in 2001.
Barriers and challenges
There is more to be done on the on the impact of low pay and poverty in racialized communities. The gig sector is also growing exponentially, so there’s an open question on how to create a policy that protects those workers as well, while still working within the bounds of the gig sector. And finally, further action is needed to motivate employers to implement Living Wages across their entire supply chains and expand the movement globally.
Looking to the future
The foundation hopes that policy organizations and business leaders create solutions that take into account how different communities experience poverty in different ways, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. They also hope we can take a broader and more holistic view of work.
Click to Living Wage Foundation's website for more: https://www.livingwage.org.uk/