The Lidl statement pointed out that both amounts are “already above the national minimum wage” and the €530 collectively in effect for the retail sector with the raise “integrated into the strong social responsibility policy that is an integral part of the company strategy.”
“Our human resources are our greatest capital and we want them to know that they can count on the company” the statement said before adding that the measure was also part of the company celebrating 20 years in Portugal with “our growth and the success attained the fruit of our extraordinary teams.”
The company has already handed out €400 in Lidl vouchers to all staff as part of its commemorations of completing two decades in Portugal where it runs 240 stores and employs 4,800 members of staff.