A living wage is not charity—it is a human right. It ensures that the benefits of growth and productivity are shared fairly with those who create them.
— International Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration
What sets the RLWS apart?
The RLWS is the first full living wage standard with third-party certification. In other words, it is a fully independent assessment, conducted by an impartial body, demonstrating full compliance with international auditing standards. It is built on established frameworks, including the ISO auditing principles and other best practices from social compliance schemes.
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The new standard for fair pay
The Responsible Living Wage Standard (RLWS) is a practical, inclusive and credible certification framework that is designed to support real progress towards achieving living wage pay across all sectors.
It is grounded in globally recognised guidance, including the ILO Conventions and reports, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Handbook on Living Wages and IDH-recognised methodologies.
01
It encourages organisations to ensure their workers earn enough for a decent standard of living for themselves and their families
02
It encourages organisations to build systems that sustain and monitor wage fairness
03
It motivates organisations to engage with suppliers constructively when wage gaps or other non-compliances are found