Belfast City Council adopts ‘living wage’ – more should follow, says Sinn Féin

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

‘Sinn Féin is determined that people are paid a wage that reflects their work and allows people to move out of the poverty bracket’

BELFAST CITY COUNCIL is the first council area in Ireland to adopt the living wage for council employees (rather than a minimum wage) in a move welcomed by the Sinn Féin leader on Belfast City Council, Jim McVeigh.

“I am now calling on all councils across the island of Ireland to adopt similar motions and give workers a decent wage for their time and commitment,” Jim McVeigh said.

“It is important that people are paid a decent wage for a decent day’s work and introducing this living wage structure will ensure that the lowest-paid workers will enjoy a better quality of life.”

The Sinn Féin councillor added:

“While it is important that we have a minimum wage, this is a very basic salary that leaves many people within the ‘working poor’ bracket and we need to move towards ensuring people get proper reward for their work.

“Sinn Féin is determined that people are paid a wage that reflects their work and allows people to move out of the poverty bracket.”