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Pentland Ferries becomes Living Wage employer


By John Davidson

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Pentland Ferries has become accredited as a Living Wage employer. Picture: Alan Hendry
Pentland Ferries has become accredited as a Living Wage employer. Picture: Alan Hendry

An independent ferry operator which runs services between Caithness and Orkney has been accredited as a Living Wage employer.

Pentland Ferries has committed to paying its staff the minimum hourly wage of £9.50, higher than the government's minimum wage for over 23s, which currently stands at £8.91 per hour.

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 45,000 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.”

The ferry firm runs services between Gills Bay and St Margaret's Hope in South Ronaldsay, Orkney.

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."


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