The Living Wage Foundation is working on an action plan to tackle low earnings in the third sector
An action plan has been launched to tackle low earnings within the third sector.
Fears over low pay at charirties have prompted the Living Wage Foundation to undertake research which aims to ensure decent rates for workers.
A survey by the foundation – carried out in conjunction with NCVO and People's Health Trust – revealed that 26% of charity workers earn less than the real Living Wage (£8.25 per hour), compared to 21% of the overall workforce in the UK.
It also found that nearly a third of women (30.4%) in the charity sector earn less than the real Living Wage compared to just a fifth of men (21%).
The research has prompted a sector-wide survey which aims to help the sector to address low pay and disparities, to reduce financial barriers into the sector, and to make the sector more appealing and competitive to work in.
Results will form the basis for an action plan, which the foundation aims to release in the spring.
Katherine Chapman, director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: "Our Low Pay in the Charity Sector report found that over a quarter of workers in the charity sector earn less than the real Living Wage, including nearly a third of women in the sector. That means that thousands of workers who have committed to helping others may themselves be struggling to make ends meet.
"A collaborative approach from thousands of charities and funders is needed, to ensure that those working for charities can earn a wage that meets the cost of living. That's why as a first step, we've launched a sector wide survey to better understand how we can tackle low pay in the sector.”
