Write a commentSDLP Councillor and Youth Worker Kevin McAteer has welcomed the involvement of local Trade Unions in the campaign to provide better wages, particularly for young people.
Cllr McAteer said: “I want to welcome the involvement of local trade unions in the campaign to provide better wages for young people. This highlights an incredibly important issue, not just for young people but for all workers.
“For far too long, the minimum wage has been used as a standard for a low wage profile across the North. It provides an unsustainable base for people to survive on and that’s why the SDLP supports the introduction of a living wage.
“Unite should be commended for their part in the campaign which wants to see the basic minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds raised from £3.79 to at least £4.88. The low wages currently being offered by employers make young people particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Thus must be addressed immediately and Unite will have my full support.
“I also intend to raise this issue at council. The SDLP has already ensured the North has the first living wage councils in Ireland. It’s important that we look after our own employees as we campaign for workers rights across the region.”
