Low-paid workers in Christchurch could soon have a reason to celebrate, if the living wage gets the green light by Christchurch City Council this week.

The wage will be debated and voted on in a council meeting this Thursday.

A CCC report on the wage stated they had three options, this included fully adopting it, partially adopting it with a stepped approach or not to adopt it at all.

Keep Our Assets Canterbury Convenor Murray Horton said while it seems clear the majority of councillors and the wider public support introducing the wage, the tone of the senior staff report is deeply antagonistic towards it.

"It conjures up a long list of 'risks' and potential 'difficulties' while ignoring the reality of the direct experiences from overseas where councils have introduced the Living Wage without the sky falling in," Mr Horton said.

What is the living wage:
* An hourly wage a worker needs to pay for the necessities of life and participate as an active citizen in the community
* The rate is voluntary and for 2017 has been calculated to be $20.20 per hour, $4.55 more than the minimum wage set by the government
* It reflects the basic expenses of workers and their families such as food, transportation, housing and childcare, and is calculated independently each year by the New Zealand Family Centre Social Policy Unit
* In June, Auckland Council voted to introduce a living-wage policy, with all staff to be paid at least $18 per hour from September, increasing each year until 2019.