Read the following article from TheJournal.ie about Ikea’s decision to pay its Irish employees the living wage. Answer the accompanying questions.
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A living wage is the minimum income needed for a worker to meet their basic needs.
IKEA IS GOING TO PAY THE LIVING WAGE
FOR ALL ITS IRISH WORKERS By Peter Bodkin
Ikea will bring in a living wage for its entire Irish staff from next year... The Swedish flat-pack furniture chain, which operates a single Irish outlet at Ballymun in Dublin, will start setting pay based on the cost of living for employees in both the Republic and the UK.
Ikea UK and Ireland HR manager Pernille Hagild said, ‘We are committed to paying the living wage to our co-workers in Ireland by April 2016.’
1. What impact will Ikea’s decision to pay the living wage have on its Irish employees?
It comes as the government weighs lifting the national minimum wage from €8.65 per hour after a likely recommendation from the new Low Pay Commission that the rate be increased 50 c.
2. The minimum wage in Ireland was €8.65. It has increased by 50 cent to €9.15. Calculate the percentage increase.
