Co Kildare retail workers are set to benefit from increase in 'living wage'
Co Kildare workers along with those nationwide are set to benefit from a pay rise.
Lidl extends commitment to pay the latest ‘Living Wage’ nationwide including its ten Kildare Stores and Newbridge Distribution Centre.
It is the first supermarket in Ireland to announce an €11.90 minimum hourly rate.
Lidl, the first major nationwide employer to commit to paying the Living Wage in 2015, has made a further commitment to match the latest revised rate recommended by the Living Wage Technical Group effective from March 1, 2019.
Among Lidl’s 4,300 employees nationwide the change will benefit 16% of employees, while all other employees working in Lidl already earn in excess of the Living Wage. Lidl currently employs a total of 406 staff in Co Kildare at its ten stores in Kildare and distribution centre located in Newbridge where a new €100 million centre is being constructed to replace the existing facility.
Lidl’s ten stores in Co Kildare are located at Maynooth Road, Leixlip; Celbridge; Straffan Road, Maynooth; Harbour Street, Kilcock; Dublin Road, Clane; Main Street, Sallins; Leinster Street, Athy; Newhall, Naas; Canal Road, Portarlington; and on Athgarvan Road, Newbridge.
Announcing Lidl’s commitment to pay the latest Living Wage, John Paul Scally, Managing Director, Lidl Ireland said: “Lidl is proud to champion the Living Wage in Ireland. Our people are central to our success. They look after our customers, drive our operations and support our communities not just across Co Kildare but throughout Ireland. It is important for us to reward them - not just with market-leading rates but also by creating an environment where our colleagues’ holistic needs are prioritised including their overall sense of well-being. As part of our Work Safe-Live Well programme we’ve invested in many health and wellbeing initiatives over the past number of years, including the Step Challenge, life-saving Heart and Diabetes screening, Mental Health Awareness campaigns and our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. By continually investing in our team, we continue to retain and attract the best employees and, in turn, continue to serve our 1.5 million plus weekly customers the highest quality products cheaper than any of our competitors.”
A similar commitment is being announced today to employees in Lidl Northern Ireland using the UK Living Wage Foundation’s recommended rate of £9.00 per hour.
Lidl Ireland employs over 4,300 employees in its 158 stores, head office in Tallaght and three distribution centres and regional offices based in Charleville, Mullingar and Newbridge. According to figures released by Kantar Worldpanel, Lidl currently holds 11.7% of the Irish grocery market.