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Caledonian MacBrayne (Cal Mac) has become the first major transport company in Scotland to commit to paying staff the living wage.

 

Cal mac said it was also the first ferry operator in the UK to achieve Living Wage accreditation.

 

The accreditation is made by the Poverty Alliance on behalf of the Living Wage Foundation.

 

Cal Mac managing director Martin Dorchester. said: “It is something we were already doing with our staff and gaining accreditation simply formalises our commitment to this.

 

“A recent independent study by the Fraser of Allander Institute into CalMac’s social and economic impact across the network found that its staff earn 12%more than the Scottish average.

 

"This reflects not only the importance we place on ensuring our staff - often in areas where job opportunities can be limited and also low paid - are financially recognised fairly for their work, but that they can live well within the prevailing financial climate."

 

Peter Kelly, director of The Poverty Alliance, said: “With over half of children in poverty in Scotland living in a household where someone works, paying the Living Wage is now more important than ever.

 

“We hope to see more employers following in CalMac’s steps in the coming weeks and months.”

 

The Living Wage is different to the National Living Wage (NLW). All employers will be expected to comply with the NLW legislation by 2020, as announced in the recent Westminster budget.

 

The UK government’s NLW is a rise in the national minimum wage and is not as high the Living Wage determined by the Living Wage Foundation.

 

 

 

 

 

Cal Mac guarantees to pay staff living wage

 

25 August 2015