26th October 2015
STATEMENT BY GED NASH Minister for Business and Employment
Labour TD, Louth/ East Meath
The Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash TD has welcomed today’s announcement by Aldi that it is to pay its employees the Living Wage and expand its workforce in Ireland.
The supermarket is to pay its staff a minimum of €11.50 per hour, the rate which is independently estimated to be the minimum necessary to meet a basic standard of living, from the 1st February next.
The move follows a Forum on the Living Wage hosted by Minister Nash in Dublin Castle less than a month ago, when employers, trade unions and civil society came together to discuss how to introduce a Living Wage campaign in Ireland.
Minister Nash said: “The campaign for a Living Wage is really gaining momentum now and I welcome Aldi’s announcement today that it is to join the pioneering group of employers here who support the Living Wage.
“The campaign in the UK took ten years to secure the backing of some of the major retailers but in Ireland we now have IKEA, Lidl and Aldi announcing their support for the voluntary Living Wage.
“As our economy improves, and the retail sector which I have responsibility for has shown growth of 5.5% in the third quarter of this year, I believe it is an opportune time for employers who can now afford to do so to share the benefits of the recovery with their employees.
“I would encourage other employers, large and small, to examine the business and social case for the Living Wage and the benefits it can bring to their staff and join the campaign.”
ENDS
For more information contact Deirdre Grant 086 0484 279
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