Amazon is raising the minimum starting pay for its U.S. core operations workers—such as delivery drivers and those who work in fulfillment centers—to $20 per hour. This increase brings the average hourly pay for these employees to nearly $24 per hour. According to the company, this represents an additional $1 per hour for eligible workers. In a blog post, Amazon Senior Vice President Udit Madan noted that when including the value of the company's benefits, the average total compensation reaches over $32 per hour. These pay raises are part of a significant investment totaling over $1.5 billion, which is approximately 0.06% of Amazon’s $2.68 trillion market value. In addition to the pay increase, Amazon is introducing new benefits for its employees. These include access to a low-cost banking system called Day 1 Financial, a membership with First Tech Federal Credit Union, and a 20% discount on in-store purchases at Whole Foods Market, a premium grocery chain owned by Amazon. Employees who order groceries online through Amazon will also receive a 10% discount. Amazon already offers benefits such as free Prime memberships, prepaid education programs, and healthcare coverage to its workers. The new benefits and pay raise have sparked mixed reactions among employees. On a subreddit dedicated to Amazon fulfillment center workers, some expressed skepticism about the value of the new perks. One employee joked about the Whole Foods discount, noting that it might not save them much money since Whole Foods is known for its higher prices. “So it would make it cost almost the same as a regular store, then? Hahaha,” the comment read, highlighting the gap between the company’s promises and the employees’ real-world experiences. Despite the company’s emphasis on increased compensation and benefits, the reaction from workers suggests that the changes may not fully address concerns about wages and working conditions. Amazon continues to face scrutiny over labor practices, and this latest move is one of several efforts aimed at improving its public image and employee satisfaction.