Carol protest outside London hotel today: 'Tis the season to pay fairly

Dozens will be gathering outside a chic London hotel this afternoon to sing Christmas carols calling for the workers inside to be paid a London Living Wage (LLW).

London Citizens, the alliance of faith congregations and schools which created the LLW, was promised a meeting with the General Manager of the Hyatt Andaz hotel in Liverpool St - but has since been rebuffed.

Mr Arnaud de Saint Exupery's name will feature in at least one of the carols, which have been specially written by the Roman Catholic composer, Bernadette Farrell.

This year's carols will be sung by members of parishes belonging to London Citizens. They will be supported by a brass band.

The London Living Wage is a recommended minimum wage for the capital, which takes into account the far higher costs of living in London.

The LLW is backed by the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who over the summer announced this year's rate of £7.45, compared to the national minimum wage of £5.70.

On 4 November a spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: "London is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live and work and it is not only morally right to pay the Living Wage but also makes good business sense, contributing to better recruitment and retention of staff, higher productivity, and a more loyal workforce with high morale. Paying the living wage provides excellent value for money in both the short and long term."

On 26 November Mr Johnson said: "As Mayor, I have ensured that all employees of GLA organisations receive the London Living Wage and I have put pressure on businesses to follow my lead."

London Citizens is made up of more than 115 churches, mosques, schools, trade union branches and charities.

Last year London Citizens organised similar Christmas carols at Tate Britain.

See: !CN 17 December 2008 Campaigners make Christmas appeal to 'Scrooge at Tate Modern'