The authority is the 16th to adopt the scheme.
The London Living Wage is coming to Merton, with news that the borough has become the latest to adopt the increased minimum wage.
The council’s cabinet has agreed to backdate the minimum wage of £8.55 per hour, awarded to all staff and agency workers, to April 2013.
It is believed 16 council employees will have their salaries increased as a result, costing the borough a mere £10,000 per year.
Council leader Stephen Alambritis said: “The rising cost of living is a big issue for our employees, many of whom live in the borough.
“We want to make sure all our staff our treated fairly, and we are delighted to be a London Living Wage council.”
Merton is the 16th council to adopt the living wage, but other South West London boroughs including Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham and Wandsworth are yet to join the scheme.
The London Living Wage was set-up by the Greater London Authority in 2005, and was increased by 25p in November last year.
London mayor Boris Johnson said at the time: “By building motivated, dedicated workforces, the living wage helps businesses to boost the bottom line and ensures hard-working people can enjoy a decent standard of living.”
The wage guarantees an increase of £2.36 per hour for over-21s, while 18-20s would see their hourly rate boosted by £3.52.
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