Nicola Sturgeon has welcomed an increase in the Living Wage rate which will see more than 40,000 Scots handed a pay rise.
The First Minister said it was a welcome boost for workers at a "really tough time".
Almost 1,900 businesses in Scotland are accredited Living Wage employers, meaning they agree to pay a minimum rate that is independently calculated based on what people need to live on.
The new Living Wage rate has today risen to £9.50 across the UK - which is 78p more per hour than the minimum wage set by the Westminster Government for workers over 25.
More than 180 firms have signed up to pay the Living Wage in Scotland since the pandemic began, but research suggests that 15% of Scots workers are still paid less.
The First Minister said: “This very welcome increase to the real Living Wage will mean thousands of workers across Scotland will get a pay rise to help them meet their living costs during this really tough time.
“Ensuring staff are paid fairly shows a clear commitment to fair work practices and Scotland now has the highest proportion of real Living Wage employees anywhere in the UK.”
“The Scottish Government continues to encourage all employers, regardless of size or sector, to consider paying the real Living Wage.
"Not only do we see it as a crucial part of creating a fairer and more prosperous country, it also makes business sense with companies reporting more motivated and productive employees, reductions in staff turnover and stronger team performance.”
Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “It’s a challenging time for us all, but today’s new Living Wage rates will give a boost to thousands of workers in Scotland.
“There will be choices to make as we manage the virus and emerge – eventually – from this crisis about the kind of society we all want to live in.
"The real Living Wage is part of the solution to in-work poverty in Scotland and signals a way in which employers can take an active role in making positive change for the future.”
