Amidst the surge in unemployment rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, Walmart Inc. is reportedly looking to hire around 20,000 workers at its supply chain facilities and fulfillment centers. The retailer intends to fill some of the most high-demand jobs in retail as well as raise wages ahead of the upcoming holiday season.

Walmart said the positions will be permanent roles and will be offered in both part-time and full-time capacities. The positions that the retail giant is hiring for include lift drivers, freight handlers, and order fillers, as well as other management and technicians positions.

If reports are to be believed, the average wage for supply chain employees is around USD 20.37 an hour, as compared to USD 15.25 per hour announced in February. However, Walmart did not disclose the overall cost for new hiring and the wage increase.

The world’s largest retailer also stated that the new hires are eligible for a cash bonus of USD 150 for getting the COVID-19 inoculation. New workers who get the doses before 4th October 2021 or are already vaccinated before being hired are eligible to get the bonus.

To make the hiring plans in effect, the retailer will hold special hiring events in the coming week to “attract the best and brightest candidates” in their every supply chain location. The retail giant is also providing free college tuition and other benefits for part-time and full-time positions.

As businesses continue evolving to cater to the requirements of the customers, it is now crucial to have a robust supply chain. Various retailers across the United States were less confident about not having sufficient workers during the holiday shopping season owing to the labor shortage across the nation.

Many U.S. companies had also hired seasonal workers last year to bolster their distribution centers and reduce the delivery time as shopping for the holiday season mostly happened online due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

Source Credits –

https://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/food-entertainment/grocery/walmart-to-hire-20000-supply-chain-workers-ahead-of-holiday-season/85826673