Apple Raises Minimum Wage to $22 per Hour

[Photo by AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] Bloomberg reported on the 25th (local time) that Apple plans to increase employee salaries by more than 10%.

Apple issued a statement on the same day announcing that it will raise the minimum hourly wage by 10% compared to last year, increasing it to at least $22.

This move is interpreted as an effort to appease employees whose real income has decreased due to recent rapid inflation and who have growing dissatisfaction with the work environment after COVID-19.

Apple has recently been in conflict with employees over union issues. Apple employees in Georgia, Maryland, New York, and Kentucky are currently pushing to form unions.

An Apple retail executive recently conveyed a message to employees stating, "The company wants to maintain an open, cooperative, and direct relationship with employees," and expressed concern that "another organization forming between the company and employees is worrisome."

Apple faced backlash from employees after attempting to implement a three-day-a-week office return policy. With the resurgence of COVID-19, Apple has put the three-day office attendance plan on hold.

As the hiring environment remains difficult following the COVID-19 pandemic, more U.S. companies have recently been raising wages.

Major U.S. bank Bank of America (BOA) also announced on the 23rd that it will raise the minimum hourly wage for employees to $22.