Responsible investment charity ShareAction is calling on UK retail giants M&S and Sainsbury’s to disclose information on how many employees are earning below the real living wage.

The push for transparency comes a week before the companies’ annual general meetings (AGMs), which are set to be held on 1 July at M&S and 3 July at supermarket chain Sainsbury’s.

The real living wage was set in accordance with the current cost of living and is currently £12.60 per hour across the UK and £13.85 per hour in London for employees who are 21 and above.

Share Action has forwarded resolutions for a vote by M&S shareholders at the AGM, and while no resolution is being filed for Sainsbury’s, the group plans to raise questions to the shareholder board. Additionally, ShareAction is also calling on the retailers to disclose the wages of third-party contractors.

Catherine Howarth, chief executive at ShareAction, said: “We urge investors to support the shareholder resolutions going to a vote at the AGMs of M&S and JD Sports.

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“Votes in support will endorse good governance and risk management whilst recognising the workers who keep these businesses running.”

However, high street retailer M&S says provides the real living wage to its direct employees and insists that third-party contractors operate independently, setting their own standard rates, which are usually above the minimum requirements.

The supermarket giant’s board plans to oppose the resolution, as the company has made significant steps to improve its employees living wage by investing over £285m in employee pay since 2022 as well as a 26% increase in its standard hourly rate.

An M&S spokesperson said: “We offer an industry-leading benefits package alongside real living wage pay for direct employees and ensure most third-party contractors are paid fairly. We believe responsibility for pay should remain with contractors themselves.”

Pensions & Investment Research Consultants, Europe’s largest independent shareholder advisory consultancy, is backing up the resolution at M&S’ AGM and is pushing for increased transparency and an official commitment to a real living wage.

Sainsbury’s has been contacted for a comment.