Island workers need a pay rise, says MSP 6/11/14
MSP David Stewart says low paid workers in the Western Isles need a pay rise as new research shows an estimated 1000 people in the Western Isles are paid less than the living wage.
David Stewart said that the figures from accountancy firm KPMG should act as a wake-
The regional MSP is a passionate campaigner for the living wage, and supported extending it to staff on public contracts earlier this year, only to see the SNP vote with the Tories to block the move.
He believes that for the living wage to make a difference to people in the Western Isles it must be promoted in low paid professions such as cleaning, hospitality and retail.
The MSP is backing plans to establish a Living Wage Unit and a National Living Wage Strategy which will be accountable to the Scottish Parliament. The strategy will target specific job markets and areas to deliver a pay rise in jobs where it will make a real difference so that the living wage is the expectation, not the exception.
Mr Stewart said: “It is time to get serious about better pay for workers in the Western Isles, and across Scotland.
“Hundreds of thousands of Scots are living in working poverty. An estimated 1 thousand workers in the Western Isles Council area are earning less than the living wage.
“The hospitality and retail industries employ thousands of people in dire need of a payrise. A National Living Wage Strategy would be able to target and work with these industries to delver a pay rise to workers who need it the most.
“The SNP were wrong to vote against the living wage, but I hope they see sense and work with Scottish Labour to help deliver better pay for workers across Scotland.
“Campaigners across Scotland got plenty of experience this summer arguing for what they believe in. I believe in better pay and conditions for working people in the Highlands and Islands and across Scotland. Promoting the living wage where it will make a difference is a step towards a better nation. It is time to make work pay.”