NEW YORK » Most of Wal-Mart’s U.S. employees will get raises as part of the world’s largest retailer’s previously announced commitment to invest in its workforce.

Wal-Mart, which announced in October that it would invest $2.7 billion in its workforce over two years, said more than 1.2 million U.S. hourly workers will receive pay increases. The company, which has 1.4 million U.S. workers, also will provide basic short-term disability at no cost to full-time hourly workers and allow workers to accrue paid time off as they earn it.

Previously, Wal-Mart raised its base employee wages for 500,000 workers to $9 per hour last April, and is increasing hourly pay to at least $10 an hour, starting next month.

The moves come as the nation’s private employer has been under pressure from labor-backed groups.