Being a Living Wage Employer is good for workers, good for business and good for Belfast.
Paying the real Living Wage helps ensure that work provides a decent standard of living, improving financial security, wellbeing and quality of life for workers and their families. It also delivers clear business benefits. Research shows that 94% of accredited Living Wage Employers report a positive impact on their business, including improved recruitment and retention, increased staff engagement and a stronger employer brand.
In a competitive labour market, Living Wage accreditation helps organisations stand out as employers of choice. It sends a clear signal of their commitment to fair pay, good jobs and responsible business practices, while strengthening their social value and ESG credentials.
The real Living Wage is currently £14.10 per hour, independently calculated based on the cost of living. To become accredited, employers must pay this rate to all directly employed staff aged 18 and over and have a plan in place to extend payment of the real Living Wage to regular, indirectly employed staff, such as contracted cleaners, security and catering workers.
Belfast Chamber is proud to be an accredited Living Wage Employer and the first Chamber of Commerce in Northern Ireland to achieve this recognition. Chamber members, including household names such as IKEA and EY, alongside local businesses such as Arts & Business NI, Belfast Healthy Cities, BLK Box and Clever Ghost, are already part of the movement. Accredited employers proudly display the Living Wage Employer mark as a visible symbol of their commitment to fair pay and responsible business.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Living Wage movement, one of the most successful civil society campaigns of the 21st century. What began as a grassroots campaign has grown into a UK-wide network of almost 17,000 accredited employers, united by a simple principle: a hard day’s work should provide a decent standard of living.
Over the past quarter century, the movement has put an additional £5.2 billion into the pockets of low-paid workers across the UK. In Northern Ireland alone, accredited employers have delivered more than £25 million in extra wages, helping families meet rising living costs while supporting local economic activity.
Today, almost 250 employers in Northern Ireland are accredited Living Wage Employers, creating a growing community committed to fair pay and Good Jobs. Yet there is much more to do. The latest Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) indicates that around 40,000 jobs in Belfast are paid below the real Living Wage, highlighting the continuing challenge of low pay.
Addressing low pay benefits not only workers and businesses but Belfast’s wider economy. Analysis suggests that if just half of the jobs currently paid below the real Living Wage were uplifted, this could contribute more than £10 million annually to Belfast’s economy through increased spending power and economic activity.
For employers considering accreditation, Living Wage NI can provide all the guidance and support needed throughout the process. Many employers report that becoming accredited is more straightforward than they initially expected, with support available to help them understand the requirements and take the necessary steps.
Living Wage accreditation is more than a commitment to fair pay. It is an investment in people, a competitive advantage in recruitment and an opportunity to be part of a movement transforming lives and strengthening communities.
By becoming accredited, more Belfast businesses can demonstrate leadership, strengthen their position as employers of choice and help build a stronger, fairer and more prosperous city.
Find out more about becoming a Living Wage Employer at livingwage.org.uk/accreditation or email livingwageni@adviceni.net.