Majority of U.S. fast food workers need public assistance

More than half of low-wage workers employed by the largest U.S. fast-food restaurants earn so little that they must rely on public assistance to get by, costing taxpayers billions of dollars a year, according to a pair of reports released Tuesday.

U.S. Census Bureau and public benefit program data show 52 percent of fast-food cooks, cashiers and other workers draw at least one form of public assistance, according to Al Jazeera.

The pro-labor National Employment Law Project found the 10 largest fast-food companies cost U.S. taxpayers more than $3.8 billion each year in public assistance.

Read more from Al Jazeera.