Amazon raises pay for hundreds of workers in Peterborough

Hundreds of workers employed by Amazon in Peterborough are to get a pay rise.
Amazon, Peterborough. EMN-151126-162809009Amazon, Peterborough. EMN-151126-162809009
Amazon, Peterborough. EMN-151126-162809009

The internet retailing giant has announced it is to increase its minimum wage to £9.50 an hour for all full-time, part-time, temporary (including those hired by agencies), and seasonal employees.

Amazon employs more than 1,000 people - rising to 2,000 with seasonal hiring - at its fulfilment centre in Kingston Park, in Fletton, and at a smaller centre in Manasty Road, Orton Southgate.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The UK’s National Living Wage and the National Minimum Wage is currently £7.83 an hour.

Doug Gurr, Amazon vice-president and UK Country Manager, said: “We’re excited to announce we are raising our minimum wage for employees from November 1.

“This will impact more than 37,000 employees across the country, resulting in higher pay for them and their families.”

He said employees would also continue to receive Amazon’s comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, paid breaks and company pension plan.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, the wage rise has bene criticised by some union officials.

Tim Roache, general secretary of the GMB union, said: “I’m glad Amazon has heeded GMB’s long-standing calls to pay people, at the very least, the minimum they need to live - though given their owner is the richest man in the world you’d think he could see fit to dig a little deeper, but it’s a start.

“Now they’re paying the living wage, maybe Amazon could pay their taxes too and do something to improve the working conditions people endure in their warehouses.”

But an Amazon spokesman said: “Amazon provides a safe and positive workplace for thousands of people across the UK and we offer public tours of our fulfilment centres so customers can see first-hand what happens after they click “buy” on Amazon’s website.”