The Living Wage movement has two strands: the Community Alliance and the Living Wage Employer Programme. It is the same movement; however, a firewall operates between them, allowing each to operate independently of each other.
The Living Wage community strand kicked off in 2011 to build an alliance of civil society organisations, such as faith groups, unions, and community organisations, to stand with low-paid workers and eliminate in-work poverty in Aotearoa.
The community strand seeks to influence decision-makers at large private and public employers to become Living Wage employers, and to call on central government to adopt Living Wage policies for its lowest-paid workers.
Critically, the community strand seeks to strengthen civil society organisations by developing their capacity to take action and harness their power to effect change for the lowest-paid workers in their communities.
The Living Wage Employer Programme was launched in 2014. This accreditation pathway enables businesses and organisations who meet the set criteria and are approved to be recognised as Living Wage Employers. These businesses pay an annual accreditation fee and sign a license agreement, which is renewed annually.
Living Wage Employer are licensed to use the trademarked branding and have access to a network of ethically minded businesses and regular Living Wage Employer events. These businesses are champions of ethical business practice in their industry and region.
The Living Wage Employer programme is a diverse network of businesses and organisations from an equally diverse range of industries. From coffee roasters to finance companies, from commercial cleaners to cereal manufacturers, from recycle shops to e-scooter hire, there are accredited Living Wage Employers in almost every industry.
There have been many milestones in the Living Wage Employer Programme, including the accreditation of the first corporate business, Vector Limited in 2017. Vector Limited paved the way for other large businesses. It wasn’t long before other businesses and organisations, in both the private and public sector were also stepping up to become accredited Living Wage Employers.
In September 2018, following much public lobbying and campaigning, Wellington City Council became the first local government body to become an accredited Living Wage Employer, under the leadership of former Wellington City Mayor, Justin Lester.
In February 2019, Westpac New Zealand became the first bank in NZ to be accredited as a Living Wage Employer. By May 2020, all members of the New Zealand Bankers Association, were also accredited, including the professional body itself. As a result, the banking sector became the first accredited Living Wage sector in Aotearoa.
Most recently, Tāmaki Maraurau’s largest employer, Auckland Council became achieved accreditation as a Living Wage Employer, ensuring at least the current Living Wage rate is paid all directly employed staff and regular and ongoing contracted services.
Living Wage Employer accreditation is good for workers and good for business. More than 340 business will give testimony for this. If you are ready to increase productivity, attract higher quality workers, improve staff retention and reduce unexpected absenteeism and sickness, contact our team for a free, no obligation chat about becoming an Accredited Living Wage Employer.