Workers on front line of Christmas rush deserve real living wage
All hospitality and retail workers deserve fair pay and conditions as they face the rush of the Christmas and holiday period, says Scottish Greens Co-Leader Lorna Slater MSP.
Scottish workers in bars, restaurants, and shops are often exploited the most by their employers, especially over the festive period when businesses are rushed with gift shopping and large meals.
According to UK government statistics, only around 2% of hospitality workers in the UK are trade union members, which has led to unprecedented levels of private business profiteering from workers in the sector.
Scottish Greens MSP, Lorna Slater said:
“Our shops, bars, and restaurants will be rammed with rushes of customers during this holiday period, with last-minute shopping, work nights out, and family meals.
“Yet, when it comes to pay and conditions, those serving our communities are on the front line of industrial injustice.
“The majority of those working in hospitality and retail are paid the minimum wage. Many of them under 25 are paid shocking wages, and many of those under 21 earn just £6.40 an hour for doing the same job as others.
“This wage injustice has been a dark stain on the industry for a long time. With the cost-of-living crisis hitting Scottish workers hard and continued austerity from a UK Labour government we must finally see hospitality and retail workers paid a fair wage.
“Our workers deserve better. Everyone deserves a fair wage that they can live off.”