IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has become the first UK hotel chain to support the London Living Wage. They have committed to phased pay rises in each of their eight managed hotels in London that will over a 5 year period bring all staff including agency staff onto the Living Wage. This is estimated to benefit 850 workers currently earning less than the Living Wage, currently set at £8.30 per hour by the Mayor of London.
London Citizens, the community alliance who have been campaigning for the Living Wage since 2001, have heralded this first step forward for the hotel sector. Mayor of London Boris Johnson has also welcomed the move.
Holiday Inn, one of IHG's brands, is the Official Hotel Provider to London 2012. Following successful campaigning by London Citizens, the London 2012 Games are set to be the first ever Living Wage Olympics with all staff on the park paid at least the London Living Wage.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has made an election pledge to work with London Citizens to encourage five hotel and hospitality employers in London to go Living Wage through this Mayoral term. All Living Wage Employers will be celebrated this November as part of the first ever Living Wage Week.
Stephen McCall, IHG Managing Director UK & Ireland, said:
"We've made a commitment to become a London Living Wage Employer in all the London hotels we manage over the next five years."
Neil Jameson, London Citizens Director, said:
"This is a brave and historic move by IHG. London's hotel sector has too long suffered from widespread poverty pay. Finally we have a leader in the market and we encourage all supporters of the Living Wage to do business with IHG's managed hotels."
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said:
"This is a welcome decision by IHG and I am delighted that they have been persuaded of the huge benefits the London Living Wage will bring. Not only does it foster a loyal and hardworking workforce, it can help lift people out of poverty and give them a proper reward for their labours."
In 2018, IHG group are still yet to accredit with the Living Wage Foundation and honour their commitment to paying all staff the real Living Wage.