THE Parish of St Peter has been accredited as a living-wage employer, ensuring that its workers are guaranteed at least £12.19 an hour.
The Jersey Living Wage Campaign, set up by local charity Caritas, encourages workplaces to become accredited in order to help eradicate poverty in Jersey.
St Peter Constable Richard Vibert said: ‘It is even more important when we consider that we have a rising cost of living and double-digit inflation. I would encourage any business seeking to achieve accreditation to move to the Living Wage without delay during the challenging times.’
The cost of living in Jersey rose by 12.7% last year – the biggest increase in inflation since the early 1980s.
Mr Vibert added: ‘Ensuring that all parish employees are paid the Living Wage was one of my aims when I was elected, and I hope that it reaffirms to everyone in the parish team, that we are a caring employer.’
Caritas chief executive Patrick Lynch said: ‘A Living Wage is more important than ever for the many Islanders on low incomes and we look forward to details of when and how the commitment to move the minimum wage to parity with the Living Wage will take place for the benefit of all in our society.’
He added: ‘We are very happy to accredit the Parish of St Peter as a Living Wage employer, especially as it is my home parish. I thank the Constable, the procureurs and especially Liz Cheetham, the parish secretary, for their work with us.’
This year, the living-wage rate has been set at £12.19 per hour. The aim of the campaign is to enable the average worker to live with dignity,’rather than survive within the local community’.
