Harrods workers to strike over low wages and poor benefits

Employees of the iconic London department store Harrods, who are members of the United Voice of the World (UVW) union, are set to go on strike from the evening of December 20 until the evening of December 22.

Report informs via UK media that the strike will resume on December 26, known as Boxing Day in the UK.

According to British media reports, the UVW stated that Harrods management has refused to negotiate with the union. Staff members, including sales associates, cleaners, restaurant workers, and kitchen staff, are demanding pay raises in line with inflation, a Christmas bonus of £500, the elimination of mandatory nine-day shifts for cleaners, and greater transparency in pay calculations.

The union is prepared to call off the strike if Harrods management agrees to negotiations before the strike begins.

"As one of the world's leading department stores, Harrods should adhere to 'standards of treatment for workers,' but in reality, employees are paid minimum wage and denied basic benefits such as meal allowances and Christmas bonuses. This policy is common among companies earning millions of pounds per year," the union stated.

It is worth noting that last year, Harrods' owner, the Qatar Investment Authority, a Qatari sovereign wealth fund, received dividends of £180 million.