Gap Raises Its Minimum Wage, Sets An Inspiring Example

Amidst a growing conversation about raising the national minimum wage, Gap has taken the matter into its own hands. In a letter on its website, Gap Inc.'s chairman and CEO Glenn Murphy stated that the company will increase the minimum hourly rate for its employees to $9 in 2014 and $10 in 2015. The change will affect 65,000 U.S. store employees, across all of Gap Inc.'s brands, from the namesake line to Old Navy, Banana Republic, Athleta, Piperlime, and Intermix.

According to WWD, Gap stated that the majority of employees in stores and distribution centers currently earn more than the $7.25 national minimum wage, but did not specify how much they earn. “To us, this is not a political issue,” said Murphy. “Our decision to invest in frontline employees will directly support our business, and is one that we expect to deliver a return many times over.

We're excited to hear that Gap, Inc. considers an investment in its staff as an investment in its business overall, and can only hope more brands follow suit. The only thing that could make us happier is if brands show similar efforts toward fair pay for their garment workers, too. (WWD)