Innovation firm latest to commit to Glasgow Living Wage

Published: 18 December 2015

More than 410 organisations of all sizes in the city have now committed to the Glasgow Living Wage, and these organisations employ over 86,000 people.  Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd was the 400^th employer in the city to commit.

Glasgow City Council was the first local authority in Scotland to commit to paying all of its staff a living wage when it established the Glasgow Living Wage in in 2009 and promoted its payment by employers in the city.  The Glasgow Living Wage is a key instrument in the council's efforts to tackle poverty, particularly the rising in-work poverty experienced by low income households. 

The council has contacted all businesses in the city urging them to support the Glasgow Living Wage, by giving a commitment that all of their employees would be paid at least the Glasgow Living wage as opposed to the National Minimum Wage which is currently £6.70 per hour.

Bailie Braat said: "It is fantastic to see another organisation in the city commit to the Glasgow Living Wage, and I would like to thank Fraunhofer UK for their support.  The living wage is important as it tackles in-work poverty and benefits the economy, something recognised by more than 400 of Glasgow's employers.  I am pleased to say that the success of this scheme is without parallel in Scotland."

Simon Andrews, Executive Director of Fraunhofer UK Research Ltdsaid: "Fraunhofer's mission is about delivering high-quality, applied research and development services for industrial customers and collaborators; that requires excellent scientists, engineers and a fabulous support team. 

Fraunhofer UK trains a large number of PhD and Engineering Doctorate students for industrial research and development careers, and we are also firmly committed to recognising, encouraging and training our staff in all areas of the organisation.  Embracing the Glasgow Living Wage is a natural step for Fraunhofer UK and we are keen to help promote this excellent initiative."

The Glasgow Living Wage already applies to the employees of Glasgow City Council and its ALEOs (arms-length external organisations), as well as those organisations in the private and public sectors who have committed to it.

Glasgow City Council will also promote the living wage through its procurement policy, aiming to improve the conditions of workers across the city.  A living wage is defined as the level of income needed to provide an acceptable standard of living, to ensure good health, adequate child development and social inclusion.

More information is avialable on the Glasgow Living Wage website.

Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd is a not-for-profit applied research and development provider. Established in 2012, with backing from the Scottish Government and her agencies, the University of Strathclyde and Fraunhofer Gesellschaft.  The first UK Fraunhofer research centre is the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics which is based in the University of Strathclyde's new flagship innovation initiative, the Technology and Innovation Centre, Glasgow.