Ryan FowlerMuslim Aid, a prominent UK charity, has achieved accreditation as a Living Wage Employer, committing to pay all its UK staff a minimum hourly wage of £13.15, well above the government’s minimum wage of £11.44 for workers over 21. This rate corresponds to the London Living Wage, reflecting the charity’s primary staffing in the capital, where 13.3% of jobs pay below this threshold.
Zakya Hussain, head of people & culture and services at Muslim Aid, said: “Paying the Real Living Wage is a commitment to existing and future employees that working for us means that they’re part of an organisation that lives by its values and treats people well, ensuring they will earn a good living for themselves and their families as well as doing good for others in society.”
The charity’s adoption of the Living Wage is part of broader efforts to enhance employee satisfaction and retention, including benefits such as extra paid leave for Muslim festivals, paid pilgrimage leave, hybrid working, and mental health support.
Khalid Javid, CEO of Muslim Aid, emphasised that the commitment to the Living Wage is foundational to the organisation’s values and employment practices. “At Muslim Aid, we believe that dignity and respect should be the foundation of our employment practices. Committing to the Living Wage is more than a policy, it’s a reflection of our values and our dedication to our team,” he said.
The Living Wage Foundation’s director, Katherine Chapman, commended Muslim Aid’s decision: “We’re delighted that Muslim Aid has joined the movement of over 14,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on.”
