J+S Subsea has today announced its accreditation as a Living Wage Employer.

The subsea controls engineering specialists is based in Scotland, a region where over 14% of all workers earn less than they need to get by, with around 333,000 jobs paying less than the real Living Wage.

Despite this, J+S Subsea has committed to pay the real Living Wage and deliver a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work

Its Living Wage commitment will see all employees receive a minimum hourly wage of £9.90 in the UK, significantly higher than the government minimum for over 23s, which currently stands at £8.91 per hour.

Managing director Phil Reid said: “We have chosen to become a Living Wage accredited employer in recognition of the fact we are nothing without the talented team of people who drive J+S Subsea’s success.

“Our reputation in the industry is built on the satisfied clients that rely on the dedication and expertise of that team.

“Signing up to the real Living Wage was an easy decision to make.”

The real Living Wage is the only UK wage rate calculated according to the costs of living. Employers choose to pay the real Living Wage on a voluntary basis, recognising the value of their workers and ensuring that a hard day’s work receives a fair day’s pay.

Since 2011 the Living Wage movement has delivered a pay rise to over 52,000 people in Scotland and put over £310 million extra into the pockets of low paid Scottish workers.

Peter Kelly, Director of The Poverty Alliance said: “We all need an income that is enough to cover our needs and protect us from poverty, and it’s only right that employers pay a wage that reflects the cost of living. Too many workers in Scotland are paid less than the real Living Wage and, at a time of rising costs, are struggling to stay afloat. The real Living Wage can offer protection from those rising costs.”

“Congratulations to J+S Subsea on their Living Wage commitment, and I hope more organisations follow their lead by becoming Living Wage accredited.”

Gail Irvine, Living Wage Scotland Manager said: “We’re delighted that J+S Subsea has become an accredited Living Wage employer. They join a growing movement of over 2500 employers in Scotland who together want to ensure workers have what they need to thrive.

Our Living Wage employer network includes lots of smaller employers as well as larger and iconic brands like SSE, abrdn, Barrs, Mackie’s of Scotland, & D.C. Thomson. We hope to see many more employers following their example.”