Dunnes Stores has agreed that it will pay its workers a 10% Covid-19 premium payment backdated to March 9, 2020.
The move will bring the Irish owned company in line with other retailers including Aldi and Tesco who both have similar payment increases in place for its staff during the crisis.
This follows pressure from a Mandate Trade Union petition signed by more than 3,000 workers.
According to the Mandate, Dunnes Stores have also agreed to increase the staff discount card to 20% for all workers and it appears the company have also agreed to a COVID-19 sick pay scheme.
Mandate's General Secretary John Douglas welcomed the move, saying it is the minimum profitable retailers should do considering the sacrifices being made by retail workers during this pandemic.
"There are thousands of retail workers all across the country who are putting their own health at risk during this public health crisis," said Douglas.
"The very least they should expect is a 10% premium on top of their current pay rates."
Dunnes Stores worker from Ballina in Mayo, Patrick Killeen, said: “Many of us are scared. While the government has told everyone to stay at home, it’s not possible for us. We have to make sure there’s food on the shelves, and we’re not taking this lightly.
“This premium payment we’ve won will help us, but the most important thing for all of us in retail is that our employer ensures our health and safety is paramount.”
Killeen concluded: “If you work in retail and you’re working through this pandemic, I can’t emphasise how important it is to be a member of your union and ensure that we’re all compensated fairly and that our health and safety is protected.”
On the 21 March, Tesco announced that it will be giving staff a 'helping hand' and that its hourly workers, will get a 10% bonus on their usual hourly rate.
The British retailer also said that salaried managers will get a 10% bonus on actual hours worked and that the proposed increases will be backdated to March 9.
The new structure will run until May 1, when Tesco says it will review the situation.
On the 25 March Aldi announced enhanced pay for its store and distribution colleagues, who will each receive a 10% bonus on hours worked, effective from 9 March 2020 until the end of April.
Over 3,800 Aldi staff members will benefit from the measure.
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