Dreamfeel become first employer in Games sector to sign up to GWUI/FSU campaign to become a living wage employer.

FSU campaign for a living wage in the Game Sector starts to become a reality.

The Financial Services Union has applauded Dreamfeel for becoming the first employer in the Game sector to sign up to the Financial Services Union campaign to become a living wage employer.

Earlier this year GWUI, a branch of the Financial Services Union in Ireland launched a Living Wage campaign calling on all profitable games companies to ensure that no worker in their employment earns less than the Living Wage. Previous research by the FSU uncovered that 15% of staff in the sector appear to be earning less than the living wage.

Gareth Murphy, Head of Industrial Relations, and Campaigns at FSU, said:

“This is a really important step for the sector and for those working in it. It is going to take leadership and employers working with the FSU to make the games sector a sustainable and long-term sector to work in.

We applaud Dreamfeel for taking the lead and we encourage more games companies to respond and to make the living wage a floor for the sector. There are a lot of decent paid jobs in the sector, but there are areas in the sector that are underpaid and undervalued.”

Llaura McGee, owner of Dreamfeel commented said:

“A living wage for everyone is a crucial step for the growth and longevity of the games industry in Ireland. I am delighted and happy to sign up to the GWUI/FSU living wage campaign and commit that all employees and contractors that Dreamfeel Limited work with will receive, at minimum, the living wage.

People develop individual, highly specialised skills in every job, and nowhere is that more obvious than in an incredibly quickly evolving field such as video games.

We lose so much talent and knowledge every year with individuals leaving the games industry due to not receiving adequate compensation.

I know the games industry can help lead the way in establishing a sector that values its employees and ensures they get just reward for their work.”

Concluding Gareth Murphy, Head of Industrial Relations, and Campaigns at FSU, said:

There are many issues to tackle in the game sector, like burnout, crunch, pensions, and job security over the coming years. We are committed to a good sustainable sector for everyone working in it.

The Government can also play its part and ensure that any state support, like the Digital Games Tax Incentive needs to be linked to decent jobs.”

ENDS

Some Game Workers and members of GWUI with Llaura McGee, owner of Dreamfeel Limited, and Gareth Murphy, Head of Industrial Relations and Campaigns at FSU, at the signing of the committment to the living wage.

Llaura McGee, owner of Dreamfeel Limited, and Gareth Murphy, Head of Industrial Relations and Campaigns at FSU, at the signing of the committment to the living wage.