The Mandate trade union is calling for the immediate introduction of the living wage of €12.90 an hour as an entry point for all workers in retail, with higher rates for longer serving staff.
The union, which represents 30,000 workers mostly across the retail sector, made the call at its biennial delegate conference in Castlebar in Co Mayo.
Mandate's General Secretary Gerry Light said it would be a way of recognising the hard work of retail staff during the pandemic.
"I am using the occasion of my address today to call for the living wage of €12.90 to be immediately introduced as the new hourly entry point of pay for all retail workers along with commensurate pay increases for longer serving members of staff," Mr Light said.
"I know that the Low Pay Commission is currently tasked by the Tánaiste to explore the possibility of making the minimum wage the current living wage rate and I would urge that the Commission recommends this as a matter of urgency," he added.
Delegates also heard calls for the introduction of collective bargaining rights.
"The Government must step up to the plate and introduce legislation which allows workers and their union of choice the statutory power to collectively bargain, with all employers not just the willing few," Mr Light said in his address.
He also reaffirmed Mandate's call for the reintroduction of mandatory face masks to be worn by the public in retail settings.
