Amazon to Raise Minimum Wage for US Workers to $15 an Hour

Amazon has announced it will increase the minimum wage for its United States employees to $15 an hour.

In a statement on Tuesday, the giant electronic commerce company said the new changes will take effect on November 1st and will benefit over 350,000 workers holding full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal positions.

“We listened to our critics, thought hard about what we wanted to do, and decided we want to lead,” the company's founder and CEO Jeff Bezos said.

“We’re excited about this change and encourage our competitors and other large employers to join us.”

The move comes amid increased criticism over pay and benefits the Washington-headquartered company gives its warehouse workers. Amazon further said it will lobby for an increase in the federal minimum wage and urge other competitors to raise wages. 

“We will be working to gain Congressional support for an increase in the federal minimum wage. The current rate of $7.25 was set nearly a decade ago,” said Jay Carney, senior vice president of Amazon global corporate affairs.