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Sustainability requires equity - The importance of living wages and incomes for a green economy

Against the background of the massive human rights violations caused by very low wages, the discussion about the necessary level of living income is progressing. Despite all the difficulties involved in determining and implementing a living wage, this is currently being attempted in many sectors and regions. It involves companies, trade unions, non-governmental organisations, standard-setting organisations such as Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and UTZ Certified, scientific institutions and, in some cases, governments. Activities in this direction have multiplied in recent years. Interim results show that both a definition of what should be covered by a living wage and a regional-specific determination of its amount are possible. The first sectors are working on step-by-step plans for how the calculated wage level should be implemented. In order to trace this process, the following first step explains how the demand for living wages is linked to the requirements of the United Nations (UN) for compliance with human rights. In a second step, it is explained how a living income is defined. This is followed by case studies from various industries in which the theoretical aspects are put into practice or where at least a practical implementation is planned. The brochure concludes with an assessment of what the introduction of living income can mean for the development of prices for individual sample products as well as with demands on those responsible for the value chains.

Scope: 24 pages
Reference: free of charge for download
Factsheet free of charge for download