All workers deserve a fair wage
All workers in retail and hospitality deserve a real living wage and market-leading conditions as they face the festive rush of Christmas and the holiday season, says Scottish Greens MSP Lorna Slater.
The sector is full of overworked and underpaid employees who are helping turn the profits for bars, shops and restaurants every day.
The real living wage in Scotland is £13.45 per hour, compared to a minimum wage of £12.21 and £10 for people under 21.
Yet, these sectors tend to have the least amount of trade union members, often filled with many young people in their first jobs, leading to a number of exploitative practices such as zero-hour contracts and low pay being viewed as standard practice.
Lorna said:
“Without hospitality and retail workers Christmas would be very different. There would be no opportunity for late-night shopping or to pick up last minute Secret Santa gifts, and far less festive get-togethers with friends.
“Yet, it is the very same workers who face the injustice of low pay for maximum effort. All too often they are expected to accept poor working conditions, zero-hour contracts and minimal opportunity to question bad practice without fear of losing their jobs.
“The majority of those working in hospitality and retail are paid the minimum wage and often face precarious conditions.
“Many of the young people in these crucial sectors are paid shocking wages, with those under 21 years of age expected to live on £10 per hour or less, despite their bills often not being any lower than someone over the age of 21 in the same role.
“It is time for us to finally see hospitality and retail workers being treated better by their employers and the UK government. It is time for these workers to be paid a fair wage.”
Lorna added:
“For those of you who are heading out to celebrate over the festive season, tip the staff and thank them. Without those workers a lot more people would be stuck indoors at home. They deserve our gratitude now more than ever.”