Amazon has announced it will give each of its frontline workers a special payment of up to £500 this year. The online giant said tens of thousands of employees will benefit.
The one-time special payment will be made to hourly paid employees. This includes full and part-time staff and seasonal workers.
The money will be paid in two instalments before the end of the year. Employees can expect a payment of £250 this month, and a further £250 in December.
Amazon said in a statement: “Amazon employees receive competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. Starting pay is a minimum of between £10.50 and £11.45 per hour, depending on location.
“Employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package that includes private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, subsidised meals, an employee discount and more, which combined are worth thousands of pounds annually, as well as a company pension plan.
“On top of this we have announced that every full-time, part-time and seasonal associate will receive an additional one-time special payment of up to £500 this year.”
Amazon has not specified whether the one-time payment is a response to the cost of living crisis. Earlier this week Tesco announced that it would be raising its basic hourly pay to make sure its employees “don't have to go to food banks".
Tesco shop workers will see a 20p increase in their hourly pay to £10.30, and to £10.98 in London, from November 13. This marks an almost 8% increase in Tesco’s hourly pay over this year.
Meanwhile retail giant Currys announced its hourly rates will increase by a further 3.5% to £10.35 across the UK and to £11.43 in London. It is the third pay rise offered by the retailer in the last 13 months and just one month after the latest increase came into effect.
