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Employers can afford more than minimum wage – union

GUERNSEY must tackle its 'ridiculously' low minimum wage, Unite regional officer Bob Lanning has said.

Employers can afford more than minimum wage – union
Employers can afford more than minimum wage – union / Guernsey Press

He was keen for the States to look again into having a living wage, which Commerce and Employment did in 2015, but decided that further work was not cost effective.

The department has launched a consultation into the minimum wage level, which is £6.85 an hour for adults, and asked for feedback.

Mr Lanning said while that was 15p an hour ahead of the UK's, it fell well short of the mainland's living wage, which is £7.85 an hour for most of the country.

'It's outrageous when you consider how far behind it is compared with the mainland,' he said.

'It absolutely should be at a higher level.'

While many of the people he represents are States workers, so not on the minimum wage, he was concerned about other islanders and particularly those who work in the hospitality sector.

'How can anyone live on the minimum wage?' he said.

'It is quite ridiculous. What taxpayers have to realise is what these people are earning, the taxpayer is having to top up, yet employers could afford to pay more than that.'

The consultation questionnaire can be completed online at http://svy.mk/1nYIwEz.

Printed copies are also available from Raymond Falla House, St Martins, and can be downloaded from www.gov.gg.