Church leaders in U.K. call for 'living wage' reform

London, England, May 1, 2006 / 22:00 pm

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor and other senior clerics joined trade union leaders at a rally yesterday, on the fest of St. Joseph the Worker, in calling for a living wage for workers in the United Kingdom, reported 24dash.com.

The rally, held in the square of Westminster Cathedral, was preceded by a mass for migrant workers in the cathedral church. It was attended by 2,000 people. The mass is the first of its kind and is organized with the support of London Citizens, a community-based organization.

A “living wage” is the minimum level necessary for a human standard of living. London Mayor Ken Livingstone's Living Wage Unit has recommended a living wage of £6.70 an hour in London compared with the current adult minimum wage of £5.05 an hour, which will rise to £5.35 in October.

In recent years, thousands of migrant workers from central and eastern European states new to the European Union have come to London. These workers have been credited with keeping inflation down, but they have suffered with low pay and poor living standards.

The cardinal has highlighted the plight of migrant workers and called on Catholic parishes in the capital to welcome migrants whatever their legal status.

Catholic social teaching states that as a matter of justice, human beings have a right to work for a salary which will support them and their families.