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A living wage for Oxford
The cost of living in Oxford is higher than in most of the rest of Britain, but citizens are only guaranteed the national minimum wage. This isn't enough for an individual or family to avoid living in poverty in Oxford, with all the ill effects that has. A living wage is considered the minimum wage needed to provide 'adequate income' to ensure social inclusion for an individual and their family. This means that individuals and families can live in a decent home, pay their bills, enjoy a healthy diet and meet all of their other basic needs.
The City Council have passed a motion committing themselves to paying a living wage for all employees, contractors and subcontracted workers by April 2009. It will be set at £7 per hour along with the right to at least 20 days holiday per year, and 10 days full sick pay, as well as free access to a trade union. The Welsh Assembly recently agreed a living wage of £6.70 per hour for its employees, and employers in London including KPMG and the London Assembly agreed a living wage of £7.20per hour.
This move promotes the economic and social well-being of people working for Oxford City Council, but they believe that everyone working in the City should be paid a living wage. As one of the City's biggest employers, the City Council can help make sure that this happens by becoming a "living wage employer", and by working with other employers in the City to persuade them to follow their lead. London Citizens, a broad coalition of community groups, is pushing for London councils to follow Oxford's lead in becoming Living Wage Boroughs.
Find out what London's Living Wage Unit is doing in our city.