Can companies realistically be 100% Living Wage compliant year after year? What happens in countries where Minimum Wages already exceed Living Wage estimates? And how should businesses respond in regions with large wage gaps?
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Daniela Ceccon |
Paulien Osse |
In this expert conversation, Paulien Osse, Co-Founder and Global Lead on Living Wages, speaks with Daniela Ceccon, Director of Data at WageIndicator, about global Living Wage compliance, Minimum Wage differences, inflation risks, and responsible corporate wage strategies. Drawing on cross-country wage data and company practices, they explore what credible Living Wage implementation really looks like in 2026.
What Does 100% Living Wage Compliance Mean?
Are there companies that are 100% Living Wage compliant year after year?
Daniela Ceccon: Yes, there are companies that manage to pay a Living Wage consistently, year after year. Typically, these companies do not have production sites in many African countries or low-income countries in Asia. There is a clear link between low Minimum Wages and a large gap between statutory Minimum Wages and Living Wages; especially when they are not regularly updated.
Internal wage structures also play a role. Companies where most roles require higher qualifications, such as university degrees, tend to have higher entry-level wages. This makes it easier to meet or exceed Living Wage benchmarks.
Some companies use quarterly Living Wage estimates as a routine compliance check. They respond quickly to close any gaps: by the next quarter or at least within the year. This works when companies are disciplined from the outset about their process and follow through on their commitments. For example, a company may decide that if the wage gap exceeds 20%, it will be closed within a year and then actually implement that decision. Importantly, these companies do not ignore inflation.
One publicly documented example is Accenture, which guarantees a Living Wage for every employee.
When the Minimum Wage Is Higher Than the Living Wage
What about countries where the Minimum Wage is already higher than the Living Wage?
Daniela: This situation does occur and is quite relevant. In our latest comparisons, around 23 countries have a statutory Minimum Wage equal to or higher than our lowest Living Wage threshold (the Typical Family lower bound). In these cases, companies have two main options:
- Pay the legal Minimum Wage and be transparent: "In this country, the statutory Minimum Wage already exceeds the Typical Family lower bound Living Wage.”
- Adopt a more ambitious benchmark, such as the Typical Family higher bound or the Single Income Earner benchmark.
In both scenarios, a company can credibly state that it pays a Living Wage; provided it clearly specifies which benchmark it uses. Without that clarity, claims can quickly become confusing. Transparency about the definition and benchmark is essential.
Living Wage Challenges in some African countries
What patterns do you see among companies operating in Africa or in countries such as Myanmar?
Daniela: Several patterns emerge. First, companies with significant operations in Africa often work on Living Wage policies internally but do not always communicate this publicly. Their approach is more “we’re working on it” than making bold external claims.
Second, multinational companies operating across multiple regions sometimes take a phased approach. They begin implementation in regions where the gap between current wages and the Living Wage is smaller or where systems are simpler, leaving more challenging regions for later.
Third, some companies sell or relocate production units from countries where the Living Wage gap is particularly large. What we do not typically hear is companies explicitly stating they have dismissed employees because they could not meet Living Wage standards.
That said, exits are sometimes framed as “sustainable exit strategies.” Myanmar is often cited in such discussions. Personally, I find it difficult to describe an exit as sustainable if workers are left behind in low-pay conditions while the company presents the departure as an ethical success. A responsible approach would involve greater transparency about what happens to workers, what obligations remain, and what mitigation or remediation measures are put in place.
Managing Living Wages During Hyperinflation
What about hyperinflation, for example in Venezuela?
Daniela: Extreme inflation presents a serious challenge. Venezuela is a well-known example of how quickly economic conditions can deteriorate and later shift again.
In such contexts, a Living Wage programme should not be suspended. In fact, that is precisely when it matters most. There is often a temptation to avoid increasing base wages and instead rely on bonuses, allowances, or in-kind benefits. These tools can provide short-term relief when prices fluctuate rapidly.
However, Living Wage programmes exist for a reason. When the cost of living rises sharply, low-paid employees are the first and hardest hit. A practical response would include more frequent wage assessments and faster adjustments combined with temporary support measures where necessary; not just annual reviews. Transparency is crucial: companies should clearly distinguish between base pay and bonuses so that “Living Wage paid” has real meaning in a hyperinflation context.
Why Transparency Matters When Claiming To Pay A Living Wage
Is there room for negotiation if a company cannot fully reach the Living Wage level?
Daniela: Yes, there is room for negotiation and ideally, trade unions play a central role in that process. In practice, negotiation often revolves around definitions. What counts as base wage? What qualifies as a performance-related bonus? Is an attendance bonus genuinely performance-based, or is it effectively part of normal pay? These distinctions can determine whether a company meets the Living Wage on paper or in practice.
There is also debate around in-kind benefits. Consider housing: can an employer count “decent housing” if it consists of a bed in a room shared with six colleagues? Or should decent housing be suitable for a family, particularly when workers are separated from their families due to their employment?
A constructive way forward would be to establish clearer and stricter rules about what can be counted toward a Living Wage, including bonuses, allowances, and in-kind benefits. The objective should be clarity, simplicity, and transparency: fewer grey areas and a clear explanation of what is being paid and why it qualifies as a Living Wage.
February 2026