Millions of women's jobs paid less than the Real Living Wage, research shows
Millions of jobs done by British women are paid less than the Real Living Wage, research shows today.
Some 2.07m posts held by women - 14% of the total - are below the pay level experts say is needed for a decent living standard, compared with 1.4m roles held by men - 9%.
Women are also more likely to be on zero-hours contracts, with 13% of those in shift work employed on the deals compared with 9% of men, according to an analysis by the Living Wage Foundation.
Jobs held by women account for almost 60% of all roles paid below the Real Living Wage.
The study comes as the world prepares to mark International Women’s Day on Wednesday.
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The Foundation’s director Katherine Chapman said: “Our research demonstrates the reality that millions of women in the UK – often cleaners, catering staff and care workers – are more likely to be trapped in low-paying, insecure and precarious jobs.
Living Wage Foundation director Katherine Chapman“This year’s International Women’s Day 2023 is focused on equity; the sticky floor of low pay and precarious work is holding women back - true equity needs to start with a Real Living Wage.”
The Real Living Wage is £10.90 an hour across the UK, rising to £11.95 in London where costs are higher.
In contrast, the Government’s “National Living Wage” - a rebranded legal minimum - is £9.50 an hour and only applies to workers aged 23 and over.
Staff aged 21 and 22 get £9.18, those aged 18 to 20 receive £6.83 and under-18s just £4.81.
The Foundation says a full-time worker on the Real Living Wage would be £2,730 better off compared with someone earning the Government’s National Living Wage.
It comes after the Mirror revealed last month how dozens of firms have signed up to a “secure work” pledge for staff battling the cost-of-living crisis.
Fifty employers have backed the “Living Hours” pledge so employees get at least four weeks’ notice of shifts and a guaranteed minimum 16 hours a week.
Supporters say it helps give staff certainty, allowing them to plan better their financial outgoings because they know how much they will earn and when.
Carers are traditionally low-paid (Getty Images)The scheme was launched by the Living Wage Foundation in a bid to crackdown on unscrupulous bosses who book or cancel shifts at short notice - often without compensating desperate workers.
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Ms Chapman said: “Insecure work makes planning a life and a budget almost impossible.
“With almost one in three working adults in the UK being given less than a week’s notice of shifts, we’re calling on employers to join those who have already stepped up during the cost-of-living crisis and commit to provide workers with Living Hours alongside a Real Living Wage.”
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