- Lidl in Germany has been increasing the internal minimum wage since 2010.
- Discount plans to increase the minimum wage by 20%. higher than the statutory lower limit in the country.
- In July 2024, Lidl Polska increased the salaries of employees, warehouse workers and managers.
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Prices were compared in Polish, Czech and German Lidl. Where is the cheapest?
Lidl voluntarily goes a step further
The minimum wage in Germany is currently EUR 12.41 gross per hour (approx. PLN 52.80), next year it is to be EUR 12.82 (approx. PLN 54.60). It is therefore expected that the minimum hourly wage will increase by 41 euro cents over the course of the year. For many people, this amount is too modest, especially in the face of the increase in prices of basic necessities, including food.
This is probably why there was a long and particularly sharp strike in the retail sector, which ended a few weeks ago with an agreement and small wage increases. Lidl voluntarily goes a step further. The discount giant wants to significantly raise its lower wage threshold, German media report.
Lidl raises the minimum wage in stores
Lidl has often made price increases in the past to stand out from the competition. A discount store in Germany has been increasing the internal minimum wage since 2010, which currently amounts to EUR 14 per hour (approx. PLN 59.60). During the labor dispute, he paid several bonuses due to inflation, and there was also a 10% cut. raise under the collective agreement. Now comes the next step. The store chain wants to pay its employees at least EUR 15 per hour (approx. PLN 63.90) from September. It would be more than 20 percent. more than the national minimum wage.
Depending on the length of service at Lidl, professional experience and classification in the relevant regional collective agreement, the hourly rate increases. This means that a large proportion of the workforce earns well above the minimum starting wage at Lidl, the company says.
Lidl pays most employees much more. The standard wage may be EUR 19.47 per hour (approx. PLN 82.90), but in some cases the discount store uses a limit of EUR 15, e.g. for new employees without training or temporary employees – according to the press release.
20 percent more than the minimum wage in the country
Especially in the latter case, trading companies cannot skimp on remuneration. The retail sector relies heavily on temporary workers. That's why Lidl offers special occasion and Christmas bonuses.
The report shows that the network plans to reduce the minimum wage by 20 percent in the future. higher than the statutory lower limit in the country. Temporary and unskilled workers in particular should benefit from the increase.
Lidl Polska has raised wages since July
From July 2024, employees of Lidl stores in Poland will earn from PLN 4,750 gross to PLN 5,700 gross at the beginning of employment. After one year of work, the employer guarantees a salary from PLN 4,950 gross to PLN 5,900 gross, and after two years of work experience from PLN 5,150 gross to PLN 6,150 gross. The level of remuneration is always defined in the employment contract.
However, in the case of the warehouse crew's salary, after increases it will range from PLN 5,200 gross to PLN 5,850 gross at the beginning of employment. After one year of work, it will increase to a level from PLN 5,500 gross to PLN 6,100 gross. After two years of employment, it will range from PLN 5,750 gross to PLN 6,400 gross, and after three years of employment, from PLN 6,100 gross to PLN 6,700 gross.
In turn, store managers can count on remuneration ranging from PLN 7,400 gross. Moreover, at Lidl Polska, all store managers are entitled to a comfortable company car. The position held determines the amount of the raise.
Minimum wage – Poland vs Germany
According to the Federal Ministry of Labor, in Germany, employees with a 40-hour working week in 2024 at the minimum wage will receive EUR 2,151 gross per month (PLN 9,163).
In Poland, the minimum wage from July 2024 is PLN 4,300 gross, the proposed minimum wage from January 1, 2025 will be PLN 4,626 gross.
In 2024, the minimum hourly rate for civil law contracts in Poland also increased: from January 1, it was PLN 27.70 gross, and from July 1, it was PLN 28.10 gross.
The minimum hourly rate in Germany is currently EUR 12.41 gross (approx. PLN 52.80), next year it is to be EUR 12.82 (approx. PLN 54.60).
