WORKERS from Unilever's Port Sunlight plant have joined colleagues across the country urging the firm to end what they call 'in-work' poverty by increasing contractor's pay to the living wage.

Around 20 people took part in a lunchtime protest outside the firm's site in Greendale Road today. It was organised by Unite union members.

They want the company to become a 'living wage'-accredited, meaning the current ‘living wage’ would be paid to all cleaners and other low-paid contracted staff.

Unite's campaign is supported by staff at Unilever's sites in Purfleet, Burton, Gloucester, Crumlin, Warrington, Manchester, Leeds and Norwich. Hundreds have signed a petition supporting them.

The living wage is currently £9.15 in London and £7.85 for the rest of the UK.

Unite regional officer, Rhys McCarthy said: "We know that poverty pay has no place in modern Britain and Unilever becoming an accredited ‘living wage’ employer will make a huge difference to contracted staff living on poverty pay, not being able to feed their families or make ends meet.

"Our members want to showcase solidarity today and that they are backing a ‘living wage’ for all their work colleagues.

"The campaign has received widespread support across all Unilever sites - I hope that the success of the campaign will spread to other campaigners and employers across the country to lift thousands more families out of working poverty and step up all demands to get all employers to sign up to a 'living wage'.

"It’'s time to end in-work poverty. A 'living wage' for all is our vision”

Their campaign is backed by Wirral South MP Alison McGovern, who said: “Let me congratulate all those who have joined this campaign to raise awareness of pay conditions and the ‘living wage’.

“In times when people are struggling, it is especially important to put the spotlight on this issue.

"The positive response from Unilever is good news, especially as it is a local employer in my constituency.

“Labour would make work pay by raising the national minimum wage to £8 per hour by the end of the next parliament, and getting more employers to pay a living wage.”

Workers are planning to present the campaign petition to the join Union-Company National Forum in Gloucester next month.

This follows a successful campaign with Nestle to secure a ‘living wage’ for all staff directly and indirectly employed by the company led by Unite, GMB and USDAW.

A Unilever spokesman said: "We believe that all responsible businesses should pay people enough to live on.

"All Unilever UK employees are paid the relevant National or London Living Wage as a minimum.

"In accordance with our global Responsible Sourcing Policy, we also ask all of our suppliers around the world to work towards a living wage approach.

"We launched this policy in April this year and are in the process of engaging with our UK suppliers to meet this policy."