Niagara Sexual Assault Centre: Certified Living Wage Employer
The Niagara Poverty Reduction Network is pleased to announce that Niagara Sexual Assault Centre has become a certified living wage employer at the Champion level.
The Niagara Sexual Assault Centre provides counselling and other support services to survivors of child sexual abuse, incest and sexual assault, as well as educational programs in schools and for community groups. The centre was established as a non-profit agency 42 years ago. There are currently two full-time and seven part-time employees who provide services and programs throughout the Niagara region.
“The Niagara Sexual Assault Centre uses a feminist, empowerment approach to ensure that all clients are treated with respect and dignity,” said public education coordinator Suzanne Mason. “Being a living wage employer embodies these principles for staff working at the agency and reinforces the skills, knowledge and expertise they possess.”
“We hope that more employers will see the benefits of paying their staff at least at the level of the living wage in Niagara,” she added. “It is a positive step toward creating a more equitable society and reducing poverty.”
“We are very pleased to see so many local employers who recognize the value and benefits of paying at least a living wage. Paying a living wage takes direct action to tackle poverty and we are excited to see the growing number of Niagara businesses joining us in this work,” says Glen Walker, Chair of the Niagara Poverty Reduction Network.
A living wage reflects what earners need to be paid based on the actual costs of living and being included in the community. A living wage is not the same as the legislated minimum wage. It is a voluntary commitment that employers can make to compensate directly-employed and contract-employed full-time and part-time workers. The 2018 living wage for Niagara region has been calculated to be $17.99/hour. If an employer’s total compensation package includes benefits such as dental and prescription drugs, the living wage can be lowered by about $1.50/hour. Learn more about Niagara’s living wage at www.wipeoutpoverty.ca
Niagara-area employers interested in becoming living wage certified can contact the Ontario Living Wage Network for more information at www.ontariolivingwage.ca
