29 March 2024, 07:07
By Furniture News Dec 17, 2021

Jump in wages analysed in latest BFM survey

Wages in the furniture production industry are on the rise, according to data from a national trade body.

The British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) believes a lack of skilled workers is driving up pay in roles such as upholsterers, sewers and cabinetmakers.

BFM’s latest wages survey looks at pay as well as standard hours, holidays, shift work and union recognition across 23 job roles including foremen, manual wood machinists and product development. Compared with data from previous surveys, the BFM believes skill shortages are leading to significant jumps in wages.

BFM MD Sean Holt says: “BFM regularly surveys the industry on a number of topics as part of our work to provide insight to help our members identify emerging, relevant trends and challenges they may face in the future.

“Our survey information reveals, in this instance, a clear rise in wages for skilled jobs, which in our view is directly related to data around skilled labour shortages.”

In October, the BFM’s Furniture Trade Survey found that 76% of respondents suffered from skill shortages, with a quarter stating that the lack of staff was significant or severe.

The wages survey looked separately at those on a basic wage and workers who are paid-by-results, as well as distinguishing between companies in the north and south of the country.

© 2013 - 2024 Gearing Media Group Ltd. All Rights Reserved.