Talks, information stalls and literary readings will form part of a programme of activities and events to celebrate Living Wage Week in Norwich.
Activities are being hosted by a number of organisations including Aviva, The Forum, Writers Centre Norwich and local trade unions, with the main events taking place from Monday 6 to Friday 10 November.
The initiative, which has attracted wide support from a range of city employers, is being co-ordinated by local charity Living Wage Norwich and Norwich City Council, which is an accredited Living Wage Employer.
Its aim is to push for better pay for the lowest-paid workers and to persuade businesses of the merits of paying the Living Wage to their employees.
The Living Wage rate for 2018 will be announced at the opening event on Monday 6 November at City Hall and the Living Wage flag will fly from the roof of City Hall throughout the week.
Councillor Alan Waters, leader of Norwich City Council, said: “Living Wage Week is a great chance to celebrate our commitment to a fair wage for all.
"Encouraging employers around the city to pay the Living Wage is an important political priority, especially with the full roll out of Universal Credit due next year.
"Young people are particularly hard-hit by the downward pressure on wages as they are excluded from the Government's definition of a living wage until they are 25, whereas the long established Living Wage Foundation’s figure is higher and does not discriminate.”
Daniel Childerhouse, chairman of Living Wage Norwich, said: “Becoming an accredited Living Wage employer is the right thing to do, but it can also boost the performance of our local business community by reducing staff absenteeism and improving staff motivation and retention.
“Living Wage Week is the ideal time for local employers to get involved and find out more about how they can improve their business by adopting the Living Wage.”
Timetable
Monday 6 November
9am
Council Chamber, City Hall
Announcement of Living Wage
Future Radio and Living Wage Norwich will be promoting the new Living Wage rate at the Forum and on the streets of the city centre throughout the day.
Wednesday 8 November
5:30 to 7:30pm
The Forum
Living Wage Business Networking Event, organised by Aviva (invite only)
Presentations from:
- Tim Bishop, The Forum Trust
- Daniel Childerhouse – Living Wage Norwich
- Stuart Wright – Aviva and Chair of Living Wage Foundation Advisory Group
- Alan Waters – Leader of Norwich City Council
View Lynne’s Story – Aviva Living Wage
Thursday 9 November
10am to 4pm
The Forum
Information stalls from supporters of the Living Wage
7pm to 8:30pm
Council Chamber, City Hall
A talk from Professor Matthew Aldrich (University of East Anglia):
‘How important is the Living Wage on today's labour market?’
Friday 10 November
12:30 to 1:30pm
Council Chamber, City Hall
Living Wage themed readings from Writers’ Centre Norwich
What is the Living Wage?
The Living Wage is a wage which pays enough for workers to have the opportunities and choices necessary to properly participate in society. It is higher than the national minimum wage.
The current UK Living Wage is £8.45 per hour (outside of London) for those over 18, whereas the national living wage for those over 21 is £7.50.
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