Scottish Sea Farms has confirmed it will make cost-of-living support payments to its 678 employees to help ease the impact of soaring fuel bills and food prices this winter.
The support, amounting to GBP 750 (USD 828, EUR 853) for each employee, will be paid in three installments, with GBP 250 (USD 276, EUR 284) added to monthly salaries in October and November, then a break in December when the company historically rewards its employees with year-end bonuses, followed by a third payment of GBP 250 in January 2023.
The salmon farmer’s move comes after inflation in the U.K. reached a 40-year high of 9.9 percent in September 2022, and as the energy-price guarantee – a government intervention to reduce energy costs for consumers – comes into effect.
Scottish Sea Farms Managing Director Jim Gallagher said the company had been looking closely at what more it could do to cushion the worst of the cost-of-living crisis for its workforce.
“The challenge facing all employers is how to help employees meet the increased cost of living, whilst also safeguarding long-term business viability,” he said.
The cost of doing business for Scottish Sea Farms has been rising at unprecedented levels, Gallagher said.
“Across each area of our company, costs continue to rise to levels not previously seen before. The price of fish feed – one of our single largest outlays annually – has risen by 43 percent this year alone. Over the same period, the cost of oil and diesel has increased by 71 percent and utilities by 125 percent,” he said. “The pressure on household budgets is every bit as real and we hope that the extra monthly support will go some way towards helping our employees with rising household costs and bills, which have become a huge cause for concern.”
All Scottish Sea Farms’ staff employed before or from 1 October, 2022, will receive the cost-of-living support payments, starting this month. They will be subject to the normal salary deductions. Any employment started after that date will be eligible from the first of the next calendar month.
Scottish Sea Farms operates 58 active marine farms, three freshwater hatcheries and three processing facilities across Scotland’s west coast and Northern Isles.
Photo courtesy of Scottish Sea Farms
