Lidl increases pay for workers as it is first supermarket to commit to new living wage

Supermarket chain Lidl has become the first supermarket to commit to the latest living wage in Ireland.

The international retailer has adapted the new rate as recommended by the Living Wage Technical Group for 2023.

Lidl Ireland has committed to a €13.85 minimum hourly rate for their employees, becoming the first supermarket in the country to do so.

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Approximately 4,200 staff employed in Irish branches of Lidl will benefit from this change, with all other staff earning in excess of the Living Wage rate already. The new rate will stand at €13.85 an hour, which has been set out by the Living Wage Technical Group.

Lidl Ireland have said that the increased hourly rate for staff comes as part of a more than €7.5 million investment.

A statement from the company, posted to Twitter, said: “We are pleased to be the first supermarket in Ireland to commit to a €13.85 minimum hourly rate for our employees, as recommended by the Living Wage Technical Group for 2023.

“The change represents an investment of over €7.5 million and benefits 4,200 employees, as all of our other employees already earn in excess of the new Living Wage.

“The Living Wage is an independent recommended rate of income to have a socially acceptable standard of living.”

Lidl has become the first supermarket to implement the recommended Living Wage for all staff ((Image: Lidl Ireland))

It is the second pay increase Lidl Ireland have introduced in 2022, and comes “in recognition of ongoing hard work and dedication” of their colleagues amid the cost of living crisis.

“In March of this year, we made a €10m investment which saw all 5,000 employees across the business receive a pay rise,” the statement said.

“We are proud to offer the most competitive compensation and benefits packages in the industry and would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our 5,000 strong team in the Republic of Ireland that continue to make Lidl the success that it is.”

This is a move that has been warmly welcomed, with many people sharing messages on Twitter in support of Lidl Ireland's decision.

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