Football clubs urged to pay all staff the Living Wage
Football clubs across the capital are being urged to pay the London Living Wage. London Assembly Member Jennette Arnold OBE AM said the move would “contribute to ending the chronic problem of low pay”. Premier League clubs have committed to paying full time staff the London Living Wage but Ms Arnold said all employees, at all levels of football, should be paid at least the Living Wage.
Earlier this month Jennette Arnold OBE AM backed a London Assembly motion calling on Premier League clubs in London to extend the London Living Wage to part time and contracted staff. The Premier League announced in March that it would pay the London Living Wage, worth £9.15 an hour, by the start of the 2016-17 season, but it only applies to full time staff.
Just one premier league team, Chelsea Football Club, currently pays the Living Wage to their entire workforce. Ms Arnold said other Premier League teams should commit to doing the same and lead the rest of the football industry by example.
London Assembly Member Jennette Arnold OBE AM said:
“The vast wage inequalities in football are indicative of a wider problem in London and indeed Waltham Forest. Whilst the future commitment by London’s elite clubs to paying the Living Wage to full time staff is welcome, this should only be the beginning.
“There is an example to be set for the wider football industry and this means paying at least the Living Wage to all staff, including part time workers and those working for external contractors.
“Clubs from across all the football leagues have the opportunity to contribute to ending the chronic problem of low pay. Their staff deserve the security of a living wage and they could massively influence others to follow suit.”
ENDS