How Big Is the Low-Pay Problem in Northern Ireland? 

In Northern Ireland, many people work long hours but still don’t earn enough money to cover their basic needs. This is because many jobs in the area pay very low wages. In fact, Northern Ireland has the highest number of low-paying jobs in the UK. A lot of workers, including those in sectors like retail, hospitality, and care, struggle to make a living. This means they have to work harder to support themselves and their families, but still face financial difficulties. The high number of low-paying jobs is a big problem that affects many people in Northern Ireland. 

What Are Low-Paying Jobs?

Low-paying jobs are jobs that pay less than what is needed to cover basic living costs. The Real Living Wage is the amount of money that people need to live comfortably. It is different from the government’s National Living Wage, which is a lower rate. Right now, the Real Living Wage is £12.60 an hour in the UK, but many people still earn less than that.

In Northern Ireland, the types of jobs that often pay low wages include work in retail, hospitality, and healthcare. These jobs are important, but they often don’t pay enough for workers to cover basic costs like rent, food, and heating.

Why Does Northern Ireland Have So Many Low-Paying Jobs?

Northern Ireland has 20.6% of its jobs paying less than the Real Living Wage. That’s more than 224,000 jobs in total. This makes it the region with the highest rate of low-paying jobs in the UK. Many factors contribute to this problem.

One reason is the overall economy in Northern Ireland. Wages in Northern Ireland are lower than in other parts of the UK. For example, the average monthly pay is £2,291, which is lower than the UK average of £2,457. Many jobs in Northern Ireland don’t pay enough to meet the rising cost of living. As a result, people are left with low wages and have to make difficult choices about how to spend their money.

Another factor is economic inactivity, which means that a lot of people aren’t working or are not looking for a job. Northern Ireland has the highest rate of economic inactivity in the UK, with 26.1% of people not working. Some of them are sick or caring for family members. This means fewer people are available to take higher-paying jobs.

The low pay also affects workers’ mental health. Around 67% of low-paid workers say their pay makes them feel stressed or anxious. This can affect their happiness and well-being.

Why Are Women Affected More?

In Northern Ireland, women are more likely than men to have low-paying jobs. Of the 224,000 people in Northern Ireland working in low-paid jobs, 138,000 of them are women. This means that women are hit harder by low wages and are more likely to face poverty.

One reason for this is the gender pay gap. This means that women, on average, earn less than men for doing the same job. Women also tend to work in sectors that are paid less, like healthcare and hospitality. This makes it harder for women to earn enough money and escape low-paying jobs.

How Employers Can Make a Difference

Employers play a key role in improving wages for workers. By paying the Real Living Wage, employers can help workers earn enough money to cover their living costs.

When businesses pay their employees a fair wage, it benefits everyone. Workers are more likely to be happy and productive, which means they do their jobs better. It also helps businesses attract and keep talented workers, which is important in today’s competitive job market.

Moreover, businesses that pay a fair wage help strengthen the economy. Research shows that if just a quarter of low-paid workers saw their pay rise to the Real Living Wage, it could add £47 million to the economy in Northern Ireland. This would help the local community grow and improve.

Conclusion

Northern Ireland’s high rate of low-paying jobs is a serious issue that affects many workers, especially women. The good news is that things can change. Through efforts like Living Wage NI and more businesses can commit to paying the Real Living Wage. This will help workers earn enough to live comfortably and improve the local economy. By supporting these efforts, we can all make Northern Ireland a better place for workers.

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