Support for London Living Wage Campaign from Birkbeck Lecturer and Award-winning Science Fiction Writer China Mieville

"I fully support this very important fight. Poverty wages are a scandal that we cannot countenance, and together we can put a stop to them."

China Mieville, 5th December 2008

Filmmaker Ken Loach writes to David Latchman calling for an end to poverty pay and in-house services

Dear Mr Latchman

I am writing to you to support the campaign for a living wage for your caterers and cleaners.  We all know that it is impossible to live decently in London on the minimum wage of £5.73 per hour, particularly when there is no sick pay, holiday pay or the normal rights at work that you or I would expect.

I am sure you would agree that we should not expect others to work in conditions and for an income that we would probably find intolerable. 

Further, I would hope that those within the college who are charged with the task of ensuring that these services are properly carried out would re-think the issue if contracting out. When so many contractors and sub-contractors are seen to take advantage of their workers, wouldn’t it be better for colleges and universities to provide the services in-house?  Then you could be confident that no-one would be unfairly exploited.

As it is, you find that the college is getting a bad name for colluding in the payment of poverty wages.

Yours sincerely,

Ken Loach

5th December 2008