- A living wage won’t become compulsory in Jersey
- It will be paid on a voluntary basis though, as it is in the UK
- Do you think Jersey should introduce a living wage? Take part in our poll below
A LIVING wage will never be compulsory in Jersey but instead will be paid by employers on a voluntary basis, as it is in the UK, the Social Security Minister has said.
For years States backbenchers have campaigned for a living wage to be introduced, and a report on the subject is due to be released today by the Social Security Department.
A living wage is set to ensure a ‘basic but acceptable standard of living’ and is above the minimum wage, but in the UK employers are not legally compelled to pay it.
The rate for 2013 to 2014 was £8.80 an hour in London and £7.65 across the rest of the UK.
Yesterday, in the States, Deputy Montfort Tadier asked Social Security Minister Susie Pinel what part the government should play in the adoption of a living wage for Jersey.
- A living wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually
- It is calculated according to the basic cost of living
- Employers choose to pay the Living Wage on a voluntary basis
- Paying the Living Wage is good for business, good for the individual and good for society
She said that in other countries the government was not responsible for the process of setting a living wage, but instead that it was commissioned by non-governmental campaign groups.
Deputy Pinel said: ‘In the event that a reputable campaign group wishes to organise and fund the research, design and maintenance of a living wage rate for Jersey, then in my opinion the government should consider their proposals at that time and what part, if any, the government should play.’
The minister was also questioned by Deputy Andrew Lewis, Deputy Mike Higgins and Deputy Geoff Southern about the issue, and revealed that the amount of supplementation provided to assist Islanders who receive low wages was around £60 million.
Deputy Higgins said: ‘I am surprised that the minister shows so little interest in arriving at a living wage when her own department’s budget is having to supplement low wages in the economy at a time when we have a deficit.’
