Amazon will increase its minimum wage to $15 an hour for all U.S. employees, effective Nov. 1. The change affects part-time and temporary workers across Amazon and its subsidiaries, including Whole Foods. The retail giant will now begin advocating for an increase in the U.S. federal minimum wage as well.
“We will be working to gain Congressional support for an increase in the federal minimum wage,” said Jay Carney, Senior Vice President of Amazon Global Corporate Affairs. “The current rate of $7.25 was set nearly a decade ago. We intend to advocate for a minimum wage increase that will have a profound impact on the lives of tens of millions of people and families across this country.”
Amazon also will boost pay in the UK, establishing a minimum wage of £9.50 per hour (approximately $12.30 U.S.), up from £8.50, according to The Verge. The minimum wage in the London area will become £10.50 due to the higher cost of living there.
Other major retailers boosted their minimum wages earlier this year: Walmart now pays its employees at least $11 an hour, a boost attributed to the tax reform act passed in December 2017. Target has bumped its minimum to $12 and plans to continue increasing the wage to $15 by 2020.
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