Stewart calls for pay rise for Highland workers
A Highland MSP has called for pay rises after new research showed an estimated 21,000 workers in the region are paid less than the living wage.
Scottish Labour's David Stewart said that the figures from accountancy firm KPMG should act as a wake up call for politicians that the fight for fair pay is far from over.
The MSP supported extending the living wage to staff on public contracts earlier this year, only to see the SNP vote with the Tories to block the move.
He believes that for the living wage to make a difference to people in the Highlands it must be promoted in low paid professions such as cleaning, hospitality and retail.
He is now backing plans to establish a living wage unit and a national living wage strategy which would be accountable to the Scottish Parliament.
The strategy will target specific job markets and areas to deliver a pay rise in jobs where it will make a real difference so that the living wage is the expectation, not the exception.
He said: "It is time to get serious about better pay for workers in the Highlands, and across Scotland.
"Hundreds of thousands of Scots are living in working poverty and an estimated 21,000 workers in the Highland Council area are earning less than the living wage.
"The hospitality and retail industries employ thousands of people in dire need of a pay rise.
"A national living wage strategy would be able to target and work with these industries to delver a pay rise to workers who need it the most.
"The SNP were wrong to vote against the living wage, but I hope they see sense and work with Scottish Labour to help deliver better pay for workers across Scotland.
"Campaigners across Scotland got plenty of experience this summer arguing for what they believe in.
"Promoting the living wage where it will make a difference is a step towards a better nation. It is time to make work pay."