Council Achieves Living Wage Employer Accreditation
Mid Ulster District Council has been officially accredited as a Living Wage Employer by Living Wage NI. This recognition confirms the Council’s ongoing commitment to fair pay and its dedication to ensuring that all staff receive a wage that meets the real cost of living.
The Living Wage Employer Accreditation is awarded to organisations that voluntarily pay the real Living Wage – a rate higher than the government minimum – to all directly employed staff aged 18 and over, as well as to regular third-party contracted and sub-contracted staff.
The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate independently calculated based on what people need to live, not just the government minimum.
Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Deirdre Varsani welcomed the accreditation, saying:
"We are delighted to receive the Living Wage Employer Accreditation, which underscores our commitment to fairness, equality and responsible employment practices. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. By ensuring that all staff are paid a wage that reflects the real cost of living, we are investing in our workforce and setting a positive example as a major employer within Mid Ulster."
Living Wage NI Regional Manager, Mary McManus said: “We are delighted to welcome Mid Ulster District Council to Northern Ireland’s growing network of accredited real Living Wage Employers. By becoming just one of three councils in Northern Ireland to achieve Living Wage Employer accreditation, the Council is showing leadership in promoting fair pay and good employment practices. Its commitment to ensuring both directly employed staff and regularly contracted workers receive a real Living Wage sets a positive standard for employers across the district and beyond. We look forward to working with the Council to encourage more employers throughout Mid Ulster to follow its lead.”
As part of its accreditation, Mid Ulster District Council has committed to pay the real UK Living Wage to all directly employed staff over the age of 18, and ensure all third-party contracted and sub-contracted regular staff are paid the real UK Living Wage. It will also increase the wages of these employees and contracted staff to the Living Wage within six months of any rise in the calculated Living Wage rates.
The Council’s accreditation will be renewed annually, reflecting its ongoing dedication to fair pay standards.