The Scottish Government should “shine a clear spotlight” on large retail companies who refuse to pay staff the real living wage, a think tank has urged.
The Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland (IPPR) called on the Scottish Government to set a clear expectation that all workers should be paid at least the real living wage – adding retail workers who are paid less are being “hung out to dry”.
In a research report released on Thursday, titled State of the Fair Work Nation, IPPR Scotland also says large retail companies who refuse to do so should be held accountable.
10.90 per hour is currently accepted as the real living wage as the cost of living rises.
Employment law is reserved to the UK Government, but IPPR researchers say the Scottish Government should do more to stand up for living standards in Scotland.
The IPPR’s latest report says more than two thirds of children living in poverty live in a working household and adds that while the Scottish Government is using the social security system to do “much of the heavy lifting” to tackle this, retail employers must play their part too.
In a large sample of retail workers analysed by IPPR, the think tank found 12,000 people are employed by companies who pay the real living wage, while 98,000 are paid below the threshold.
The IPPR also warned that in Scotland, in its current state of growth, it may take another 75 years before all retail workers receive the real living wage.
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