Once Again the Highest Pay Round in Swiss Retail: Lidl Increases Wages by 1.5 Percent

Lidl Switzerland has reached an agreement on an attractive pay package with Syna and the Swiss Commercial Association. The company thus continues its sustainable wage policy and specifically strengthens the purchasing power of its employees. With a 1.5 percent increase in the wage bill, the smart discounter offers the highest pay round in Swiss retail. Specifically, employees will receive at least 50 francs more per month for a 41-hour week. The majority of the workforce benefits directly from the wage increase: while wages in stores and distribution centres are generally increased, adjustments are made individually at management level.

Cornelia Bickert, Industry Director at Syna, emphasises: 'We welcome Lidl Switzerland leading the way once again with the highest pay round in the industry. The targeted increase in minimum wages is a deserved recognition of the employees' performance and ensures their purchasing power in a challenging economic environment on a sustainable basis.'

Stefan Andexer, Head of HR at Lidl Switzerland, stresses: 'In a demanding economic environment, a reliable partner is crucial. We consciously invest in our employees to provide security. It is our responsibility to ensure attractive and well-paid jobs that sustainably secure our employees and their pensions.'

**Highest CLA-secured Minimum Wage in the Industry**

With this year's pay round, Lidl Switzerland raises the minimum wage to 4,650 francs. This represents the highest minimum wage secured by a collective labour agreement for a 41-hour week in the entire Swiss retail sector.

The Lidl CLA guarantees the following new minimum wages (x13):
- 4,650 francs for unskilled employees
- 4,700 francs for employees with 2 years of training in stores and warehouses
- 4,750 francs for employees with 3 years of training in stores and warehouses

Pascal Lamprecht, Head of Social Partnership at the Swiss Commercial Association, is also very satisfied: 'With this agreement, Lidl Switzerland pursues a sustainable wage policy that strengthens purchasing power today and works into retirement age thanks to an attractive pension solution.'

**Every Franc Secured for Retirement**

Lidl Switzerland not only offers unique conditions in the Swiss retail sector with regard to monthly wages but also in terms of pension provisions. Part-time work is particularly widespread in retail. To take responsibility here, Lidl Switzerland is the only retailer to fully waive the coordination deduction in the pension fund. In conventional pension fund models, this deduction reduces the insured salary, disproportionately affecting lower work percentages. Thus, part- time employees at the smart discounter benefit equally as their full-time colleagues.

**Contact Lidl Switzerland:**
Media Office
Dunantstrasse 15
8570 Weinfelden
Tel.: +41 (0)71 627 82 00
E-mail: media@lidl.ch

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: Lidl Schweiz AG / Photographer: Raffael Soppelsa Fotografie