Heathrow Airport has become the latest large employer and first airport in the UK to offer its lowest paid employees the living wage.
As part of its "Heathrow 2.0" sustainability strategy, the airport has agreed to pay all its employees at least the London Living Wage, which was increased on Monday (November 6) to £10.20 an hour.
By the end of 2020, 3,200 of the airport's staff will be on the higher wage which has been voluntarily signed on to by 3,600 employers across the country.
The airport, which employs 76,000 people in total, estimates 500 people from Hounslow , 450 from Hillingdon and 250 from Ealing will benefit from the new wage.
Headlines from Heathrow
As well as influencing retailers and commercial partners to end zero hours contracts, Heathrow has pledged to use living wage accreditation as a factor in selecting new retailers and concessions.
The announcement was made at the beginning of Living Wage Week, from November 5 to November 11.
John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, which includes Heathrow Airport said: “Congratulations to Heathrow Airport for pledging to become a living wage employer, lifting 3,200 workers out of poverty pay”.
Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “Heathrow’s status as a world-class airport is down to the quality and expertise of our colleagues.
"We firmly believe that paying the living wage is the right thing to do as a responsible employer. It will help us to attract and retain the best people, supporting them in building a rewarding career at Heathrow.
“We are proud to be accredited by the Living Wage Foundation and are committed to going further to support responsible employment practices throughout our supply chain.
“This accreditation is another step in delivering our ambitious sustainability strategy, Heathrow 2.0, and a significant milestone for realising our vision for Heathrow to be a great place to live and work.”
Living wages are set to allow employees and their families to be able to afford the essentials and also to be able to save.
Employers offering the higher wages in turn see reduced absenteeism and sick leave an an improvement in staff morale as well as finding it easier to recruit and retain staff.
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