Firms support jobs deal

THE Fair Employment Charter is already gaining support from local firms.

The initiative, designed to give workers a fair deal, was launched by council leader Jim McMahon at the One Oldham Business Awards on Friday.

Businesses who sign up to the new charter will pledge to pay a living wage, offer fair contracts and stability of employment, offer access to training and support, support membership of trade unions, enable and encourage employees to do their bit for the borough and support local people into work.

The charter is designed to compliment the Get Oldham Working programme which has created around 650 employment opportunities in 12 months but it is hoped that it will generate 2,015 opportunities by 2015.

Councillor McMahon said: “It’s exciting to see what the future holds for the town we love so much.”

See the Business Awards winners on Wednesday.