Amazon operations staff in the UK are in line for a pay rise from next month (April), the online retailer has announced.
Depending on location, minimum hourly rates will increase from £10.50 to between £11 and £12. These new amounts are well above the new national living wage rate of £10.42 and the real living wage rates nationally and in London of £10.90 and £11.95 respectively, which will also be effective from 1 April 2023.
A company spokesperson explained: “We regularly review our pay to ensure we offer competitive wages, and we’re pleased to be announcing another increase for our UK operations teams.”
According to Amazon, which employees around 50,000 staff in the UK, its minimum pay rates have grown by 10% in the past seven months – representing an investment of £125 million in that period – and by more than 37% in the past five years.
The company says it regularly reviews and increases hourly employee wages, highlighting that full-time, part-time and seasonal frontline workers received an additional one-time special payment of up to £500 at Christmas as an “extra thank you”.
The rises complement Amazon’s existing benefits package, which includes private medical insurance, life assurance, subsidised meals and an employee discount on its website. The business also provides career development opportunities, including Career Choice, where it pays 95% of an employee’s tuition fees to help them fulfil their work ambitions.
The spokesperson added: “We also work hard to provide great benefits, a positive work environment and excellent career opportunities.
“These are just some of the reasons people want to come and work at Amazon, whether it’s their first job, a seasonal role or an opportunity for them to advance their career.”
The announcement comes just days after the internet giant revealed plans to axe another 9,000 jobs, following the 18,000 cuts made last year.
