What are the advantages and disadvantages of the minimum wage for workers for employers?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the minimum wage for workers for employers?
Top 10 Minimum Wage Pros & Cons – Summary List
| Minimum Wage Pros | Minimum Wage Cons |
|---|---|
| Less government support necessary | Higher labor costs for companies |
| Higher motivation of workers | Loss of competitiveness |
| Better working quality | Replacement of workers with machines |
| Better chances to get out of poverty | Higher unemployment |
Why the minimum wage is so important?
Purpose of the Minimum Wage The purpose of minimum wage laws is to prevent employers from exploiting workers. The minimum wage should provide enough income to afford a living wage, the amount needed to provide enough food, clothing, and shelter.
What are the arguments against raising the minimum wage?
Opponents of raising the minimum wage argue that most minimum wage workers are teens working their first jobs, that raising the minimum wage will kill businesses or jobs or that raising the minimum wage will have no effect at all on purchasing power because of the resulting increase in inflation.
What if minimum wage tracked productivity growth?
If minimum wage growth had tracked the growth in workers’ productivity since 1968, the minimum wage would be $18.42, more than double the federally mandated minimum wage. For comparison, productivity since 1973 has increased 74.4 percent, while average hourly compensation has increased just 9.2 percent.
Does raising the minimum wage help teenagers?
Opponents of raising the minimum wage frequently argue that minimum wage jobs are intended for teenagers working entry-level jobs, and that a minimum wage raise would needlessly benefit teens living at home and working for pocket money. However, this argument defies reality.
What is the real value of the minimum wage?
Today, the real value of the minimum wage is 31 percent less than the real (adjusted for inflation) minimum wage in 1968, and 17 percent less than the real minimum wage in 2009. If minimum wage growth had tracked the growth in workers’ productivity since 1968, the minimum wage would be $18.42, more than double the federally mandated minimum wage.