'Solutions must be found' to low pay

Thomas says government is working on the issue

Employers in the low-paying sectors of hospitality, care and retail must be enabled and encouraged to offer a living wage to staff according to the Policy and Reform Minister.

Chris Thomas says work is in progress on addressing the issue. He wants to ensure the aspirational rate can be paid without jeopardising a business.

According to the most recent earnings data, 14% of Manx employers pay below the living wage of £8.61 an hour.

The Manx Government has committed to pay all its employees the rate by 30 June this year, but not to choose living wage employers as part of its procurement policy.

Mr Thomas says government is investigating solutions to this disparity in wages: