This week is Living Wage Week, an annual celebration which recognises the leadership shown by Living Wage employers across the UK.
People are at the heart of Nestlé’s business and treating them with respect and allowing them to contribute at work and in society is one of the company’s most fundamental values.
In June 2014, Nestlé became the first major manufacturer in the UK to gain accreditation from the Living Wage Foundation by making a voluntary commitment to pay the Living Wage Foundation Living Wage. This is a higher commitment and has a wider remit than the UK Government’s new National Living Wage which is a legal requirement. In November 2014, the company took a step further and became a Principal Partner of the Living Wage Foundation.
The Living Wage Foundation accreditation covers Nestlé UK and the following businesses: Nestlé Nutrition, Nestlé Health Science, Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Waters, Nestlé Purina Petcare, Cereal Partners and Nespresso.
Whilst those working directly for Nestlé in the UK are already paid the Living Wage Foundation Living Wage or above the company is working closely with contractors to ensure that their employees working across Nestlé sites will also be paid the Living Wage by December 2017. Nestlé is on track to meet this commitment and continue to work closely with its trade union partners on this journey.
The Living Wage model fits well with Nestlé values and Nestlé sees this as an opportunity to be a positive influence. Nestlé hopes that by taking a leadership role it will see other employers follow, both within their sector and beyond.
ENDS
What is the Living Wage?
The Living Wage is separate to the UK Government’s National Living Wage, which was introduced in 2016. The Living Wage commitment Nestlé have made is a higher commitment than the National Living Wage, and is voluntary for employers, rather than a legal requirement.
The Living Wage Foundation Living Wage is set independently each year and is based on analysis of what employees and their families need to earn in order to have a decent standard of living and fully participate in society, with a separate rate calculated for London to reflect the higher costs faced by those working in the capital.
Living Wage Week
Living Wage Week is a UK-wide celebration of the campaign for a real Living Wage that meets the cost of living and the network of Living Wage employers.
It takes place each year during the first week of November. This year it runs from Sunday 5th November to Saturday 11th November. The new UK and London Living Wage rates are announced every year on the Monday and rates are announced simultaneously in cities around the UK whilst the London rate is announced by the Mayor of London.
For more information about Living Wage Week go to: http://www.livingwage.org.uk/living-wage-week