Starting in October, the average starting wage for warehouse workers and drivers will be $19 per hour.

Amazon was planning a pay raise of between $0.50 and $1 on Wednesday, according to Insider.

Over the next year, it will spend almost $1 billion on pay changes.

The new Anytime Pay program will allow workers to access up to 70% of their pay at any time during the month.

Previously, workers were able to get paid once or twice a month, but now they can access Anytime Pay as often as they want.

Amazon didn't say why it chose to pay its workers more.

"Continuing to invest in pay, providing easy access to earned wages at any time during the month, and offering great benefits and career advancement opportunities are all part of our long-term efforts to be the best employer in the world," said Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations.

Some Amazon workers are trying to get better pay and benefits.

In August, workers at an Amazon air freight hub walked off the job in protest over pay and working conditions, and the company is facing a new union battle at a warehouse in Albany.

The first US Amazon warehouse workers' union was created in New York.

In August, Amazon warehouse workers in the UK protested after being awarded a raise.

According to an analysis from Cornell University, American workers are turning to industrial action in greater numbers this year than in the past.

When asked if the pay raises would be extended to workers outside of the US, Amazon didn't reply immediately.