// Aldi will pay colleagues a minimum hourly rate of £9.55 nationally, up from £9.40
// Aldi said it remains as one of the only UK grocers to pay for breaks taken during shifts
// Aldi’s new minimum hourly rates exceed the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended real living wage rates
Aldi has handed its store workers a New Year’s pay rise as its colleagues remain “the best-paid in the sector”.
All of Aldi’s 30,000 Store Assistants will benefit from the pay rise, with Aldi paying a minimum hourly rate of £9.55 nationally, up from £9.40.
From February 1, the discounter will increase its minimum hourly rates for store assistants of £9.55 nationally and £11.07 inside the M25, rising to £10.57 and £11.32 respectively.
READ MORE: Aldi hails record Christmas sales
Aldi said it remains as one of the only UK supermarkets to pay for breaks taken during shifts.
When paid breaks are included, Aldi’s minimum hourly pay rate for store colleagues, based on an average six-hour shift, will be £10.11.
Aldi’s new minimum hourly rates exceed the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended real living wage rates of £9.50 an hour nationally and £10.85 an hour inside the M25.
These changes mean that Aldi store colleagues across the UK will earn a minimum of £0.83 more per hour than the current National Living Wage, and £2.35 more an hour if they work within the M25.
Aldi is recruiting for 4000 new store colleagues in 2021 to support its growth.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to every single Aldi colleague who stepped up when it mattered and helped us succeed in our most important mission of all – feeding the nation,” Aldi UK and Ireland chief executive Giles Hurley said.
“Their outstanding efforts have ensured that our customers continue to have access to fresh affordable food, every single day.
“It has never been more important to ensure that our colleagues are rewarded fully for their immense contribution during a challenging period for everyone.”
Aldi now has more than 900 stores throughout the UK and is working towards a long-term target of 1200 stores by 2025.
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