International fast food workers on six continents fought for higher wages Thursday, marking the first time such protests have taken place overseas.
According to USA Today, employees worldwide rallied for higher wages over $15 an hour - almost double the current average pay of $7.25. United States fast food employees have taken a stand, along with employees from McDonalds, Burger King, and KFC locations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, South and Central America.
The president of the Service Employees International Union told The New York Times U.S. workers and international fast food workers are both receiving unlivable wages.
"Fast food workers in many other parts of the world face the same corporate policies - low pay, no guaranteed hours and no benefits," said Mary Kay Henry.
One Opelika, Ala., McDonald's worker who brings in $200 a week at $7.75 an hour told The Times other workers agreed to join him in the fight after some persuasion, adding that he was also participating to help earn more money for his family.
"The reason I'm going on strike is I don't make enough money to take care of my kids," Eddie Foreman said.
Foreman also stated activism is the only way for companies to hear workers' voices.
"We need to go on strike and protest - that's the only way we'll get them to improve things."
McDonald's said the company pays employees competitively and offers benefits.
"This is an important discussion that needs to take into account the highly competitive nature of the industries that employ minimum-wage workers, as well as consumers and the thousands of small businesses which own and operate the vast majority of McDonald's restaurants," the company said in a statement, according to The Times.
A professor of industrial relations at Clark University told The Times that the protests signaled changes in the fast food industry.
"It's the most experimental thing labor has done in a long time," Gary Chaison said.
