Supermarket chain Tesco Ireland is giving a 10% bonus to employees working across its stores and distribution centres, to recognise their efforts dealing with the increasing demand for supplies during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
The bonus will be accumulated through employees' hourly pay, and will be backdated to 9 March. Employees will receive this adjustment to their pay until 1 May 2020.
Kari Daniels, chief executive at Tesco Ireland said: “It’s been an unprecedented couple of weeks and despite the enormous challenges, it’s been incredible to see how colleagues have stepped up and responded, doing an outstanding job. This pay bonus is just one way we are saying thank you to our colleagues and recognising that they are on the front-line, helping to serve Ireland’s shoppers during these uncertain and difficult times.”
Paddy Lillis, general secretary at the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw), said: “Usdaw members working in supermarkets, distribution, home delivery, pharmacies, food and drug manufacturing and funeral workers are delivering essential services to help communities through the Coronavirus emergency. They all deserve our appreciation and support through these difficult times.
"In these difficult circumstances, it is absolutely right that retailers recognise that their staff are going more than the extra mile. We hope all retailers will follow suit and that customers treat employees with the respect they so rightly deserve.”
John Douglas, general secretary at trade union Mandate, added: “This Coronavirus crisis has made one thing abundantly clear to everyone across all our communities in relation to the essential public service carried out by all front-line retail staff in ensuring much needed essential supplies for us all. The selfless and dedicated work carried out by these employees, by keeping stocks replenished on the supermarket shelves and by making sure supermarkets remain open during this crisis deserves to be recognised and rewarded by their employer Tesco.
“Initiatives such as this Tesco bonus payment of 10% may not appear overly significant in the bigger scheme of things but it is well-deserved and long overdue recognition for a group of employees in a sector that has not been given its due respect for the vitally important public service role it performs within our society.
“We now call on all other retailers to follow Tesco’s example and reward their workforce for stepping up to the plate in these worryingly dangerous times.”
