Pentland Ferries has announced that it is now accredited as a Living Wage Employer. The Living Wage commitment will see everyone working at Pentland Ferries receive a minimum hourly wage of £9.50. This rate is significantly higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at £8.91 per hour.
In Scotland, more than 15% of all jobs pay less than the real Living Wage – around 350,000 jobs. Despite this, Pentland Ferries has committed to pay the real Living Wage and deliver a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work.
The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate calculated according to the costs of living. Employers choose to pay the real Living Wage on a voluntary basis, recognising the value of their workers and ensuring that a hard day’s work receives a fair day’s pay.
Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 45000 people in Scotland and put over £240 million extra into the pockets of low paid Scottish workers.
Director of Pentland Ferries, Kathryn Scollie, said: “We are very proud to have achieved accreditation as a Living Wage Employer. We value our people and want to make sure that everyone on our payroll is earning a wage that is adequate for their needs.”
Peter Kelly, Director of The Poverty Alliance said: “Too many workers in Scotland are in the grip of poverty and employers choosing to pay at least the real Living Wage can loosen that grip. Payment of the real Living Wage allows those in work to become more included in society, better meet their everyday needs, and feel that their value and hard work is recognised by their employer. Congratulations to Pentland Ferries on their Living Wage commitment, and I hope more organisations follow their lead by becoming Living Wage accredited.”
Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager said: “We’re delighted that Pentland Ferries has become an accredited Living Wage employer. They join a growing movement of over 1900 employers in Scotland who together want to ensure workers have what they need to thrive.
“Our Living Wage employer network includes lots of smaller employers as well as larger and iconic brands like SSE, abrdn, Barrs, Mackie’s of Scotland, & D.C. Thomson. We hope to see many more employers following their example.”