Lidl promises new Laois jobs and pay rises
The German-owned discount supermarket chain Lidl is promising new jobs in Laois as part of a national recruitment campaign which will see hundreds more added to its Irish workforce.
The company says more 700 new jobs are being created in its Irish operations, in a variety of operational and office-based roles across its network of 176 stores and three regional distribution centres as well as at its Dublin head office.
The company says the new roles will bring Lidl’s total workforce in the Republic of Ireland to more than 6,000 employees for the first time, with the retailer employing 7,500 on the island of Ireland.
The company has two Laois branches - one in Laois and one in Portarlington. The chain completed a multi-million euro upgrade of its Laois flagship in Portlaoise in May 2022. The project involved a rebuild and expansion of its premises on James Fintan Lalor Avenue.
Its opening saw the Portlaoise headcount rise by six to 31 employees. More were due to be taken on. Now the company said that it aims to create 6 new jobs in Laois in 2023. The company also promisies pay rises and announced announced a €145,000 spend on increases for its Laois staff.
It adds that all its employees will benefit from an increase from March 1, 2023. On average this will result in a 7.5% pay increase for employees, approximately between €2,000-€2,500 additional for every employee per annum.
Lidl previously said it would pay the new Living Wage rate of €13.85 as recommended by the Living Wage Technical Group.
Lidl’s announced a €550 million three-year expansion plan in 2021. Portlaoise was one of the big 2022 projects. This year will see the opening of a range of new stores including Kilkenny, Ballincollig, Bettystown, Limerick and the completion of a €75 million extension of the retailer’s Mullingar Distribution Centre.
The Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney, welcoming the new jobs at Lidl in Ireland.
“Lidl’s decision to hire an additional 700 employees this year is a real vote of confidence in the company’s long-term commitment to the Irish retail sector and the Irish economy as a whole. Given the current cost of living pressures that everyone is feeling, I’m delighted to see that Lidl is investing in giving their workforce a pay rise to support them.
"I wish to congratulate the entire Lidl team on reaching the milestone of over 6,000 colleagues employed across the country, the company has a very impressive story of growth to tell since it first came to Ireland twenty years ago,” he said.
Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, also commented on the announcement.
“We are delighted to continue to invest in our expansion in the Irish market and grow our team with the addition of 700 new roles this year across the country. It is a very proud moment for us to reach the milestone of more than 6,000 employees in the Republic of Ireland and demonstrates the commitment we have in our growing footprint in our Irish operations.
“After a roller coaster few years for the Irish retail sector, we are thrilled to be able to continue to reward the hard work and dedication of our employees by investing €14 million in pay rises. To recognise the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on our team members, we have significantly increased our investment in pay rises by 30% this year to support our employees as best we can, ensuring that we are offering the most competitive and all-encompassing suite of benefits in the jobs market at present,” she said.
Lidl began trading in Ireland in 2000 2000 opening shops in Limerick, Letterkenny, Mullingar, Athlone, Cavan, Ballinasloe and Portlaoise.