Walmart to heft salaries of 5,00,000 US employees.

US retail giant Walmart- America’s largest private employer has announced decisions to increase the salaries for over 5,00,000 workers. Consequently, the wages have been increased by 40 per cent of its staff. There has also been an increase in the hourly wage to $9- 1.75$ above the US minimum wage. The wages which were earlier $12.85 and $9.48 have now advance to $13 and $10 respectively; much to the delight of the workers.

Photo: Forbes

The rising income inequality in the US has thrown light on the plight of the workers.

The US President Barack Obama said he supports raising the minimum federal wage; thus importance has been given to increasing the wages of the workers at Walmart.

So, from February 1, all the workers will earn at least $10 per hour. “We … made a few changes aimed at productivity and efficiency that undermined the feeling of ownership some of you have for your business,” Chief Executive Doug McMillion wrote in a blog post  to workers

“When we take a step back, it’s clear to me that one of our highest priorities must be to invest more in our people this year,” he wrote.

A collective coalition of workers called as OUR Walmart have been constantly practicing one day strikes in order to demand the increase in the wages and improvement in the working hours. Emily Wells, one of the leaders of OUR Walmart and a Walmart employee who is earning $9.50 per hour in Florida, was impressed about their work, stated: “We are so proud that by standing together we won raises for 500,000 Walmart workers, whose families desperately need better pay and regular hours from the company we make billions for.”

Walmart employees have another reason to be jubilant about; Walmart has also added that there will be an increase in the wages of the supervisors and not just the workers. Also, working shifts will be inscribed and scheduled well in advance to benefit the workers.

Walmart has also planned to invest in the worker training programs to emend organization and management skills.

As a result of the upgrade, shares in Walmart fell by 2.8% in the early trading news of the employment programs.

• About the Author

About Sanika Govekar

An avid reader with a love for English, an achiever; she has a burning desire to succeed. She wants to make a difference to the society and strongly believes that self-discipline and a monumental work ethic can beat natural ability. Aim to Major in Economics.