Amazon staff set to receive pay rise of at least £1 an hour

Online giant Amazon has announced a pay rise for its staff of at least £1 an hour.

The minimum starting pay for frontline employees will increase to between £11.80 and £12.50 an hour depending on location.

The rise, for all full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal roles, will be effective from October 15.

Minimum starting pay will increase further next April to between £12.30 and £13 an hour, depending on location.

Amazon said the increases represent a £170m investment in pay and mean its minimum starting pay will have risen by 20% in two years, and 50% since 2018.

It will apply to tens of thousands of staff across the UK, as well as over 15,000 seasonal employees who will be hired at Amazon sites across the country this festive season.

Amazon UK country manager John Boumphrey said: “We have some of the most talented colleagues around, and we’re proud to offer them competitive wages and benefits, as well as fantastic opportunities for career development, all in a safe and modern work environment.

“These are just some of the reasons people want to work at Amazon, whether it’s their first job, a seasonal role or an opportunity for them to advance their career.

“We prepare year-round for the festive season, so we’re also excited to have more than 15,000 seasonal positions available this year to help delight our customers.

“We look forward to welcoming back colleagues who return year-after-year to work at Amazon along with many who will join the seasonal team for the first time.”

Racheal Fagan, GMB organiser, said: “This news will bring little comfort to the thousands of Amazon workers facing poverty pay, unsafe working conditions and workplace surveillance.

“Amazon has spent millions fighting their own workers over union rights and fair pay.

“GMB members have forced a pay rise from one of the world’s most powerful corporations – but Amazon can and must do better.”

The GMB has held strikes among its members at Amazon in recent months.