Desperate to hold on to its staff despite the dangers of public work, the Penny Market chain of grocery stores is raising its wages by 10 percent until the end of the year. The Czech Republic declared a state of emergency at the beginning of October and all non-essential stores were closed over a week ago to slow the spread of the coronavirus. But grocery stores have remained open, placing their employees in significant danger of infection. Thanks to the pay rise, Penny employees will receive roughly an extra CZK 5,000 extra along with gift certificates from the store worth CZK 3,500 just before Christmas. The raise applies for all Penny Market employees working in the company’s stores and warehouses. The move is expected to cost the company roughly CZK 50 million. Its employees make between CZK 24,000 and CZK 30,000 per month depending on seniority.
