Ikea’s Living Wage decision welcomed

Unions have welcomed Ikea’s decision to re-commit to paying workers at least the Living Wage Foundation rate.

General union the GMB says the Swedish retail giant had come under fire in November after failing to honour the 20 pence per hour increase announced by the Living Wage Foundation, (LWF) while still displaying a Living Wage Employer plaque on sites.

It reports that the company has now agreed to raise pay to at least £10.85 in London and £9.50 across the rest of the UK, in time for the LWF’s implementation deadline on May 1. The LWF rate is voluntarily paid by more than 7,000 UK employers.

David Shamma, GMB regional organiser said: “We want to thank Ikea for recommitting to the rate, after a little wobble earlier this year.”

Dave Gill, national officer at shopworkers’ union Usdaw, said that Ikea are one of a few retail employers who pay the real LWF. He added that “Living Wage employers like IKEA are leading the way, but we need the government to go much further”.

https://www.gmb.org.uk/news/ikea-re-commits-living-wage-foundation-pay-big-win-gmb

https://www.usdaw.org.uk/About-Us/News/2021/May/IKEAs-ongoing-commitment-to-be-a-Living-Wage-emplo