Ten years on: the GLWC’s role in shaping the living wage movement
In April 2024, the International Labor Organisation (ILO) announced a milestone agreement on living wages, raising hopes for millions of workers around the world that decent wages could become a reality. Today most leading companies across sectors are either contemplating or committing to pay living wages to workers in their supply chains. At a time when the idea of living wages is going from niche to norm, it is worth pausing and asking what it took for the original idea to take root. Read our 10-year anniversary statement →
As we celebrate this milestone, we look to the future, envisioning a world where wages uphold the dignity of labour… Elevating worker-driven actions, informing supply chain actors, and guiding policymakers are key components of this objective, as well as building understanding and driving conversations around success and meaningful steps.”
– Global Living Wage Coalition
This year, which marks a decade of the GLWC’s work and commitment to global wage improvement, we will be hosting two public dialogues to advance our collective understanding. We will also be sharing related resources and content on this page throughout the year. You can check back to this page regularly or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates.
Special Events

GLWC: Measuring Progress to Close Living Wage Gaps
Join us for a discussion as we explore the growing need for credible methods and frameworks to measure and report on progress towards more sustainable livelihoods over time and at every level of global supply chains—from farm to factory to brand to distribution.
In this session, we’ll bring together a variety of perspectives to discuss the challenges, lessons learned so far, and paths forward for monitoring progress towards closing living wage gaps and improving outcomes for workers. GLWC members and special guests will explore these topics in depth, providing real-world examples of how the Living Wage movement can seize this opportunity to make strides for workers’ livelihoods.
Speakers:
- Kristen Komives, Director of Programmes (ISEAL)
- Marcelo Delajara, Deputy Director & Senior Researcher (Anker Research Institute – ARI)
- Christopher Lamoureux, Senior Manager Standards & Impacts, and Christie Daly, Director of Corporate Programs (Social Accountability International – SAI)
- Debora Rosado, Director, Standards and Implementation Resources (Fair Trade USA)
- Petter Forslund, Engagement Manager (AP2, member of Platform Living Wage Financials – PLWF)
- Daantje Bras, Fundraiser and Partnership Coordinator (CNV Internationaal)
In this session, we will:
- Discuss technical issues related to measuring wages and living wage gaps from year to year and how ARI is working with local stakeholders to ensure credible and acceptable measurement of living wage gaps.
- Learn how GLWC Action Network members are introducing new strategies for structuring and measuring living wage progress in sustainability systems.
- Examine the need for collective action from all stakeholders to improve outcomes for workers and explore living wage monitoring and progress from the perspectives of financial investors, facilities, and workers.
- Discuss what knowledge is still needed to enable action toward closing living wage gaps.
Date: February 4, 2024
Time: 09:00–10:30 EST / 15:00–16:30 CET
GLWC: Transforming knowledge into action to achieve living wages
Join us for a discussion with the Global Living Wage Coalition as we explore the transformative potential of knowledge-action partnerships in our pursuit of living wages worldwide.
In this session, we’ll delve into how the Anker Methodology has evolved over the years and its pivotal role in driving meaningful change. Through real-world examples from GLWC Action Network members like Fair Labor Association (apparel), UEBT (botanicals) and Aquaculture Stewardship Council (seafood farms), we’ll explore how knowledge can be translated into action towards a future where every worker earns a living wage.
Speakers:
- Martha Anker and Richard Anker (Anker Research Institute – ARI)
- Wilbert Flinterman (Fairtrade International)
- Tiffany Rogers (Fair Labor Association – FLA)
- Saskia Bloch and Sina Hauser (Fenix Outdoor)
- Jean Johnson, (Aquaculture Stewardship Council – ASC)
- Gina Villareal (Union for Ethical Biotrade – UEBT)
- Kristin Komives (ISEAL)
- Elizabeth A. Bennett, PhD (Lewis & Clark College – Portland, Oregon, USA)
- moderated by Social Accountability International (SAI)
In this session, we will:
- Emphasise the Anker Methodology and how it aligns with best principles.
- Explore what it means to run an action-oriented research program and why this orientation is critical.
- Learn how GLWC Action Network (AN) members are taking research-based action toward living wages across sectors.
- Discuss what knowledge is still needed to enable action toward large-scale wage improvements.
Date: June 18, 2024
Stay Tuned
Information about our second public dialogue this year will be added here soon!
Details TBA