Facebook has raised wages for its contract workers, such as cafeteria staff and janitors, to a minimum of $15 per hour amid rising tension over the wage gap between the technology sector’s elite and the lower-paid workers.
Contractors will also receive a minimum of 15 days of paid vacation days and a $4,000 new child benefit for parents who do not receive parental leave, Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said in a Wednesday post on Facebook.
“Taking these steps is the right thing to do for our business and our community.” Sheryl Sandberg said.
Facebook had been working on the changes for some months and had originally planned to announce it May 1. They already put the standards in place for some of their largest support team at Menlo Park headquarters.
This announcement drew praise from the White House, unions and family groups. Facebook is committed to providing a safe, fair work environment to everyone who helps Facebook connect the world.
