WALL-MART Stores Inc. would have to spend an additional US$4.95 billion if it were to raise the minimum wage for its hourly employees in the United States to US$15 per hour from the current US$10 per hour, according to an estimate by the UC Berkeley Center for Labor Research.

    As the country’s largest private employer, Walmart employs nearly 1.5 million people in the United States. Of that, 1.1 million are hourly employees, according to the study. The study estimated that 979,000 employees would get an increase if Walmart went to US$15 per hour.

    The world’s largest retailer raised wages for its hourly workers to US$10 per hour earlier this year, but labor groups have called the raise inadequate. They have been demanding a US$15 minimum wage, and the “Fight for Fifteen” movement has been a topic of discussion during the U.S. presidential campaign.

    The research was released last week and has so far not been reported widely by the media. It was conducted at the request of OUR Wal-Mart, a union-backed group.

    A US$15 per hour minimum wage would mean an annual hike of US$4,006 for part-time employees and US$5,836 for full-time employees, the study showed.

    The study used government data and worker surveys rather than internal numbers provided by Walmart. The study used the US$10 increase in hourly wages at the start of the year as a baseline and simulated that to calculate the results for US$15 an hour.

    Walmart spokesman Kory Lundberg declined to comment on the wage estimates. He said the retailer is investing US$2.7 billion over two years in training, education and higher wages.

    In the year ended Jan. 31, 2016 the retailer generated US$482.13 billion in revenue and posted net income of US$14.69 billion.

    (SD-Agencies)