Lidl do u-turn on ‘living wage’

Announcing the move at Lidl’s Terenure Store in Dublin, Lidl Ireland managing director John Paul Scally said: “We are delighted to be the first major nationwide employer to champion the Living Wage in Ireland”.

The Living Wage, the rate of pay said to allow for an acceptable standard of living, in Ireland is now 30% higher than the minimum wage – which is €8.65.

Now, it is reversing that decision and introducing the £8.20 pay rise from 1 November.

All other staff now earn more than €11.50 an hour.

The company said all staff will now earn a minimum of €11.50, rising to €13.00 an hour incrementally within two years.

The company faced criticism after offering the pay rise to staff in England, Scotland and Wales but not workers in its 38 stores in Northern Ireland.

However Lidl has now agreed that Northern Ireland staff will get paid the living wage of £8.20 an hour.

Northern Ireland’s minimum wage is £6.70 while it is 8.65 euro in the Republic and is expected to be increased to 9.15 euro in January.

“The Living Wage is a powerful tool in the trade union movement’s struggle against poverty pay and for decent work”.

The retailer, which has 143 stores in the country, has also committed to paying a living wage in Northern Ireland using a sterling benchmark. “This would bring them to a level that is more reflective of enjoying a better standard of living”, he added.

Unite Regional Officer, Susan Fitzgerald, has described the news as a “significant victory” for Lidl workers.

The discount supermarket chain said last month that it would introduce the living wage in the United Kingdom but that staff in Northern Ireland would be excluded. “It is vital that all workers have the security and guaranteed hours to mean this Living Wage announcement translates into Living Pay”.

Downey said everyone was entitled to a living wage, but not at the expense of someone else in the supply chain.