West Ham United today committed to paying all its staff the London Living Wage.
The Hammers are just the third Premier League club to be accredited by the Living Wage Foundation, after Chelsea and Everton.
The commitment sees everyone employed at the club, regardless of whether they are direct employees or third party contracted staff, receive a minimum hourly rate of £10.20.
The hourly rate is significantly higher than the statutory minimum for over 25s of £7.50 per hour.
The Hammers have been paying all permanent employees at the level of the London Living Wage since June 2015, but some of its third party stadium staff had missed out.
West Ham United vice-chairman Karren Brady said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured the Living Wage Foundation’s seal of approval as an accredited London Living Wage employer, and hope to act as a good example for all other Premier League clubs and big businesses in London.”
Katherine Chapman, Director of the Living Wage Foundation said the agreement would mean a pay rise for almost 200 people, including cleaners and staff at the club’s training facilities.
She said: “The Living Wage badge is the mark of a responsible employer and West Ham United are joining a movement of over 3,700 employers across the UK who are making sure that all employees can live with dignity.”
Citizens UK is running a campaign to get all Premier League clubs, some of the richest sporting teams in the world, to pay the Living Wage.
