NHS Grampian is fully-accredited Living Wage employer
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NHS Grampian has become a fully-accredited Living Wage employer after an assessment by Living Wage Scotland and The Poverty Alliance.
The health board has committed to paying all of its employees at least the living wage – which is currently £9.90 an hour.
In addition to paying all employees at at least £9.90, NHS Grampian is working with suppliers to ensure regular workers employed through third parties are also paid the living wage.
Adam Coldwells, NHS Grampian's deputy chief executive, said: “Pay in the NHS in Scotland is set nationally, and we were already paying the minimum amount required for accreditation.
"However, we deal with a great many external contractors, so the commitment to work with them to encourage the same was a big undertaking. I am delighted so many of them have been willing to come on board.
“We want NHS Grampian to be an anchor organisation, an employer which brings people to – and keeps them in – the north-east of Scotland. Achieving Living Wage accreditation is one part of that.”
In Scotland, more than 14 per cent of all jobs (or around 330,000 jobs) pay less than the living wage. Since 2011, the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to more than 55,000 people in Scotland and put more than £310 million into the pockets of Scottish workers.
Peter Kelly, director of The Poverty Alliance, said: “We all need an income that is enough to cover our needs and protect us from poverty, and it is only right that employers pay a wage that reflects the cost of living.
"Too many workers in Scotland are paid less than the real living wage and, at a time of rising costs, are struggling to stay afloat. The real living wage can offer protection from those rising costs.
“Congratulations to NHS Grampian on their living wage commitment. I hope more organisations follow their lead."
Gail Irvine, Living Wage Scotland manager, said: “We are delighted that NHS Grampian has become an accredited Living Wage employer.
"They join a growing movement of over 2700 employers in Scotland who together want to ensure workers have what they need and we hope to see many more employers following their example.”
