The Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA), which represents manufacturers and suppliers of natural health products, has become accredited as a living wage employer.
As part of the commitment, every HFMA employee will receive a minimum hourly wage of £13.15 per hour, which is the real living wage rate for those based in London. This is higher than the current government minimum wage for workers over the age of 21, which is £11.44.
The Living Wage Foundation calculates the rate according to what people need to make ends meet. It provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that want to ensure their staff earn a wage that meets everyday costs and pressures.
According to the association, the commitment will ensure that its employees are paid fairly, with a rate that reflects the real cost of living in London. It is also part of its goal to boost financial wellbeing for all of its workforce.
Pippa Williams, operations and health food manager at Health Food Manufacturers’ Association, said: “We are excited to announce that HFMA is now accredited as a living wage employer. This commitment ensures that our employees are paid fairly, reflecting the real cost of living in London. It’s a positive step towards improving financial wellbeing and quality of life for all HFMA employees. We are all very proud to be a part of this important movement and demonstrate commitment to our highly valued staff.”
Katherine Chapman, director of the Living Wage Foundation, added: “We’re delighted that the HFMA has joined the movement of more than 14,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on. These businesses recognise that paying the real living wage is the mark of a responsible employer and believe that a hard day’s work deserves a fair day’s pay.”
