Salmon farmer Scottish Sea Farms is to provide cost-of-living support payments to help ease the impact of soaring fuel bills and food prices this winter.
The support, totalling £750, will be paid in three instalments to all those on the company’s books on 1 October 2022.
Scottish Sea Farms managing director Jim Gallagher said the company had been looking at what it could do to support its 678-strong 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 rise in inflation is affecting both households and businesses. The price of fish feed, one of Scottish Sea Farms’ biggest outlays, has rise by 43% this year, with oil and diesel up by 71% and utilities by 125%.
“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,” said Mr Gallagher.
October and November will each see £250 added to monthly salaries, with a break in December (when the company traditionally rewards its employees with an end of year bonus) followed by a third payment of £250 in January 2023.
Anyone starting employment after this date will be eligible from the first of the next calendar month.
