A SOUTHSIDE energy utility has become the first large corporate body in Ireland to become a ‘Living Wage’ employer.
A Living Wage employer guarantees all its employees a Living Wage of at least €11.50 an hour from January 1 next year.
The announcement was made at a special event hosted at SSE’s Ireland HQ in Leopardstown that was attended by Tánaiste Joan Burton and Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash.
Almost 750 staff across SSE’s businesses in Ireland including SSE Airtricity – Ireland’s second largest energy provider – will receive at least the Living Wage rate.
This rate, set at €11.50 an hour, is designed to ensure that people can cover their basic cost of living including housing, bills, food and work travel.
In addition to being the first corporate in Ireland to voluntarily adopt the Living Wage, SSE is also the first major energy company here to sign up to its introduction.
Tánaiste Joan Burton said: “As we secure our economic recovery, we want to be sure that the jobs we have and the jobs we are helping to create are decent, sustainable jobs where workers earn enough money to look after themselves and their families.
“The Living Wage Campaign does precisely that and I am very pleased that SSE is now joining the growing number of employers here who believe that everyone of its staff should share in our hard won recovery.”
Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash added: “SSE has been a huge supporter of our efforts to introduce a Living Wage Campaign here in Ireland. The company took part in the Forum on the Living Wage I held in Dublin Castle in September and I am delighted that it is showing its commitment to paying all of its staff a decent wage today.
“The voluntary Living Wage campaign is gaining momentum and I would encourage other progressive employers to follow the lead SSE has demonstrated.”
SSE Airtricity Managing Director Stephen Wheeler said: “SSE is proud to become the first large corporate in Ireland to pay its employees the Living Wage.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates that we value the people who work for SSE very highly and that we’re willing to pay our people at a level which shows we mean it. It also shows that SSE is a company that is serious about making a difference. We believe it is a matter of basic fairness that people should be paid a wage which is enough to cover their living expenses.”
Minister for Energy Alex White said the announcement was an important boost to the Labour Party’s campaign.
“Like this month’s restoration of the Christmas bonus and the minimum wage increase, which comes into force in January, our Living Wage initiative demonstrates Labour’s determination to ensure that the recovery delivers improved living standards for all our citizens,” he said. “SSE’s announcement shows that large, successful corporations also see the value of paying their staff a living wage.
That’s because it’s good for business, as well as being good for working families and the local communities where they shop.”