Amazon raises hourly pay for warehouse and transportation workers

Amazon.com Inc’s warehouse and transportation workers will receive an increased average starting pay of more than $19 per hour from $18, the world’s largest online retailer said.

The wage hike would help the company attract and retain workers in a tightening US labour market as the peak season for gifting gets underway.

Amazon said the pay hikes would cost the company nearly $1 billion over the next year.