Ikea promises to adopt the living wage for its 9,000 UK employees
Home furnishing giant Ikea yesterday pledged to adopt the living wage from 1 April next year – a move that will affect more than half its 9,000 UK staff.
Describing the pay increase as “part of a holistic transformation of basic co-worker conditions”, Ikea said UK employees will receive a minimum of £7.85 per hour and £9.15 per hour within London.
The pay falls under guidance set by the Living Wage Foundation.
Gillian Drakeford, Ikea UK and Ireland manager, said: “Introducing the Living Wage is not only the right thing to do for our co-workers, but it also makes good business sense. This is a long-term investment in our people based on our values and our belief that a team with good compensation and working conditions is in a position to provide a great experience to our customers.”
Helen Dickinson, director general of the British Retail Consortium, commented: “Following the Chancellor’s Budget announcement every retailer has a timeline led by the Low Pay Commission to deliver higher rates of pay.
“For all retailers their workforce is a crucial part of how they deliver to customers each and every day and they take the way that people work and how they are rewarded very seriously.”
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