DERRY staff are to benefit after German supermarket chain Lidl has now decided to include the North of Ireland in a pay rise for workers.
Lidl announced last month that it would introduce the living wage in England, Wales and Scotland which is £8.20 an hour, or £9.35 an hour in London.
However, as Derry Daily first revealed, Derry workers along with colleagues across the North of Ireland staff were excluded from receiving the increase.
Lidl said this was due to the way its business was organised.
Now it has done a dramatic U-turn and workers in Derry and across the North of Ireland will now receive the living wage.
Staff in the Republic are also to be included.
Unions have welcomed the decision.
Susan Fitzgerald of Unite The Unite said: “This is a very significant victory for Lidl workers, our members and Unite, who led the campaign to demand equal pay for workers in Northern Ireland
“We are particularly pleased that Lidl’s adoption of the Living Wage will extend to their workforce in the Republic of Ireland.
“This announcement means other retail chains are now ‘on notice’ that they need to pay the Living Wage – there can be no justification for poverty-pay.”
Lidl staff at store assistant level in the North start at a basic £7.20 per hour.
Now all store assistants will earn a minimum of £8.20, rising to £8.80 per hour incrementally within three years.
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