An East Belfast business has revealed why it has joined the Real Living Wage Campaign and hopes that others will join them.
Hunter Paper Company on the Newtownards Road, which is run by married couple Ross and Emma Johnston has signed up to the campaign that is promoting businesses that pay their employees a real living wage that is based on the cost of living.
The Real Living Wage is currently £10.90, almost 50p higher per hour than the newly announced National Living Wage in the budget of £10.42 that will be introduced in April next year.
Read more: Campaign launched calling for Living Wage for East Belfast to combat poverty
By the time this is introduced the Real Living Wage may have risen.
There are currently 58 businesses and organisations in Northern Ireland signed up to the Real Living Wage campaign, although it may be paid to others who have not signed up to it.
However there are thousands of businesses, organisations, and public sector bodies in England and Scotland who are part of the campaign, and hundreds in Wales.
Ross Johnston spoke to Belfast Live about why he believes it is important for businesses to pay their staff a wage that is suitable for them to live on and who he thinks should be "leading the way" promoting it in Northern Ireland.
Ross said: "Paying a real living wage is something that can not only help your business and staff, but boost the wider local economy as people are less worried about financial pressures and able to spend more in their community.
"Primarily though it is about valuing your staff and making sure that they are able to get by on their wage after all of their hard work, especially with the rising costs of living.
"I have worked in previous jobs where I have felt undervalued through my pay and you feel like you do not matter, so I know how important it is for your wage to be at a level that allows you to live comfortably without worries about how you might afford your bills.
"I would like public sector bodies, such as Belfast City Council, to become more involved in this campaign and lead the way in the city so that everyone can be paid a real living wage. This would provide a huge boost to our local communities and economy, and it is something that is needed now more than ever."
Mary McManus, co-ordinator for the Living Wage for East Belfast campaign, said that she would like to see businesses and organisations across the city become real living wage employers and has encouraged others to get on board.
She said: "Paying people a real living wage based on the cost of living is essential for ensuring that we are able to live in healthy and vibrant communities, with the benefits not only helping the individual and their families, but the wider economy as a whole.
"The Real Living Wage Campaign highlights this importance but as of yet, there have not been many businesses and organisations in Northern Ireland that have signed up to it, despite its popularity in the rest of the UK.
"The Eastside Partnership, with support of Urban Villages, have been pushing the campaign in East Belfast with the hopes of making this part of the city a real living wage area, but we want to see that across Northern Ireland.
"Public Sector bodies, such as councils and universities need to be leading the way with this campaign and showing others what they should be committing to and how it can be such a boost."
Michele Bryans, Chief Executive of Eastside Partnership said: "A significant number of employers in East Belfast have already signed up as living wage employers, including Eastside Partnership.
"The research shows that the living wage not only puts more money in people's pockets, it makes good business sense as it improves productivity and staff retention cutting down on recruitment costs. This is a much needed approach to reduce poverty in the midst of a cost of living crisis.
"We are greateful to Urban Villages NI for funding us to deliver the first living wage campaign in Northern Ireland for many years. we hope all those employers who can afford to pay the real living wage will join us."
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