Technology

Posted on October 3, 2018 by staff

Amazon raises minimum wage for UK staff

Technology

Amazon has raised the minimum wage for all its employees in the UK and US in response to criticism.

London workers’ pay will rise to £10.50 an hour from November 1st while those outside the capital will get £9.50 an hour. Both currently get £8 an hour.

The eCommerce firm employs 17,000 permanent workers and 20,000 temporary staff at various times throughout the year.

Amazon’s US minimum wage will rise to $15 (£11.57) an hour for more than 250,000 staff.

“We listened to our critics, thought hard about what we wanted to do, and decided we want to lead,” said founder and CEO Jeff Bezos.

“We’re excited about this change and encourage our competitors and other large employers to join us.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “Amazon didn’t gift this, workers organised for it.

“The fight goes on to improve working conditions and get this company to pay its fair share of taxes.”

The tech giant has come in for criticism over conditions for workers at its 16 UK fulfilment centres despite being one of the most valuable companies in the world.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Amazon is a trillion-dollar company. It can easily afford to pay staff higher wages.

“If Amazon is really serious about looking after its workforce it must recognise trade unions. And it must end the exploitative working practices that have seen hundreds of ambulances called to its UK warehouses.

“All workers deserve decent conditions at work – not surveillance, inhumane targets and the threat of a disciplinary if they to go to the toilet.

“Today’s announcement is the result of campaigning by the GMB and unions around the world. It’s only a start and shouldn’t be spun as a huge act of generosity.”