Wage rises on the cards in the US
There are now signs that things are getting better for ordinary Americans as companies like Walmart agree to wage increases.
"Rising living standards for the average family depend on rising real wages," said Cary Leahey, chief US economist at Decision Economics. "At some point in time companies need a healthy consumer base."
So, workers with money in their pockets can in turn contribute to the economy.
The BBC's Michelle Fleury reports.