A living wage guarantee is to be extended to all contractor staff working at the Scottish Parliament, Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick will announce.
All directly employed parliamentary staff are already paid at a level above the rate of £7.85 per hour but the new announcement extends the guarantee to those working for third parties.
The decision, endorsed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, means staff, including catering and cleaners, will see the benefit in their pay packets from January 1.
Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP Ms Marwick said: “The cost of meeting this commitment is relatively small in financial terms but is hugely symbolic to employees and employers alike.
“Ensuring that employees receive decent pay and conditions is the hallmark of a good employer and I hope that our decision will encourage other organisations across Scotland to make the same commitment to their staff.”
Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly backed the plans, adding: “We hope the leadership shown by the Scottish Parliament will encourage other employers to move towards becoming Living Wage Employers.”
