Asda has been accused of “below industry pay” for supermarket staff in the middle of the cost of living crisis.
Union group GMB claim a number of staff who work for the Big Four grocer have been “forced to use payday lenders and foodbanks” due to price rises.
The claims come as Asda confirmed it will increase hourly rates from £9.36 per hour to £9.66 per hour from April 1 - a jump of 3.25%.
In comparison, inflation rates have soared to 5.4% - its highest level in 30 years as the cost of living crisis continues to push up prices.
Asda says its London workers will see their pay jump to £10.83.
The supermarket added that wages for staff outside London will go up to £10.06 in April 2023, which would mark a further 4.1% increase.
GMB argues that most other supermarkets already pay their workers more than £10 an hour, even outside of the capital.
The union group the “below industry” pay increases for this year will affect 150,000 workers but Asda claims the hourly rate applies to 123,000 staff.
It adds that its two-year pay increase is above inflation rates, and is a deal recently accepted by USDAW union members.
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “Asda bosses are forcing retail workers to accept pay well below the industry average.
“Most other supermarkets pay more than £10 an hour - Asda workers are looking at just £9.66 from April.
"The worst cost of living crisis in decades has seen them forced to use payday lenders and foodbanks while their mental health suffers.
“Asda bosses should do better by their hardworking staff who kept the country fed throughout the pandemic.”
Are you an Asda worker who is affected by the pay rise? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
Hayley Tatum, chief people officer at Asda, said: “We value the great job our store colleagues do serving customers every day and reflecting this we are increasing their hourly pay rates by 7.35% over the next two years.
“Our hourly rates will rise to £9.66 in April and to £10.06 in April 2023.
“We remain the only supermarket to pay all store colleagues a bonus, worth several hundred pounds a year on average, as part of a comprehensive benefits package.”
Asda says it is the only supermarket to offer retail hourly paid colleagues a bonus on top of a "comprehensive benefits package". The average pay out this year for full time store colleagues is £460.
Most supermarkets including Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s all pay their staff £10 or more per hour, while Tesco increased hourly pay to £9.55 last year.
Each grocer in the UK, including Asda, pays above the minimum wage required by law.
The national minimum wage in the UK for those aged between 18 and 20 is currently £6.56, rising to £6.83 from April 2022.
For workers aged between 21 and 22, the minimum pay is £8.36, going up to £9.18.
Brits who are aged 23 and above get the national living wage, which is currently £8.91, rising to £9.50 from April 1.
