Nearly half of supermarket workers earn below real living wage, report says

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain’s supermarkets have been urged to boost wages for their lowest-paid workers following a new report showing 45 per cent of staff still earn below the real living wage. Matthew Bolton, executive director at Citizens UK, said: “Even with the economic carnage caused by the pandemic, over 1,000 new employers have managed to find the money to become real living wage employers and pay the lowest waged staff that bit extra.” He added: “Whilst some employers are really struggling, supermarkets are experiencing bumper sales. CEO David Potts said: “It’s a symbolic and important milestone that represents another step in rewarding the incredibly important work that our colleagues do up and down the country.” A spokesperson for Ocado said all staff “receive the real living wage, including premiums, across all sites”. An Asda spokesperson said: “Asda pays well above the national living wage as set out by the government and continues its commitment never to employ ‘zero hours’ contracts.” The Independent has also contacted Sainsbury’s and Tesco for comment on low pay, and also asked Sainsbury’s for comment on unpaid staff breaks.