Introduction.
One of the most talked about subjects in the U.S economy is the topic of minimum wage. What is it? Why people talk so much about it? Why should you care about that topic or even pay attention to that? This paper will try to answer the question of why increasing a minimum wage is a good or not so good idea.
I. Definition and history of the minimum wage.
Let’s start with the definition of the minimum wage. Minimum wage is defined as a legally mandated price floor on hourly wages, below which non-exempt workers may not be offered or accept a job (Minimum Wage 2015).
The history of the minimum wage goes back to 1938 when President Franklin D Roosevelt signed in to law the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA). Part of the act was the establishment of minimum wage of a $0.25 per hour in order to maintain a “minimum standard of living necessary for health, efficiency and general well-being, without substantially curtailing employment” (Act of June 25, 1938 (Fair Labor Standards Act), Public Law 75-718, 52 STAT 1060, n.d.). Fair Labor Standard Act of 1938 was implemented to solve two major economic issues at that time: protect the workers, and stimulate the economy suffering at that time from Great Depression. The federal government recognized the importance of financial stability among American citizens, and rebuilding the country’s economy at the same time.
Since 1938 the minimum wage has been increased several times in response to the rising cost of living and
“The minimum wage is the minimum hourly wage an employer can pay an employee for work. Currently, the federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (part of the Fair Labor Standards Act) and some states and cities have raised their minimum wage even higher than that.” minimum wage was first introduced during the great depression in 1930s. Before it was introduced thousands of people were forced to work in horrible conditions for pennies a week. Early attempts on minimum wage was ruled unconstitutional by the U.S supreme court, because it restricted people from deciding what they wanted to pay their workers. So employers still made there workers, work in horrible condition through the great depression. Now that poverty is a huge national issue. President Franklin D. Roosevelt made sure he would protect workers it was part of his mission as the president of the united states of america. After being reelected in 1936 he signed the FLSA in 1938. Which put into place a national minimum wage of 25 cents an hour. After the law was passed the minimum wage was changed almost every couple of years because the cost of living is very high. In 1997 bill clinton allowed states to make there own minimum wage. Today the minimum wage is 7.25/hour there is continuing debate over whether that 's a fair amount of money to support someone there days. Labor activists want the government to raise it while other point out the negative effects it would have on the
The minimum wage has been around since the Great Depression in 1938 under the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Initially, the government set the minimum wage at $0.25 per hour to now $7.25 an hour, although some states decide to have a lower rate than the national rate or have no minimum at all. The heated debate over raising the national rate of the minimum wage has been on everybody’s lips since there was the question of whether to alter the rate or not. I support the raising of minimum wage because of the fact that raising the minimum wage would improve the income of people in poverty and economy of America. For the same reason, raising the minimum wage would lift the incomes of about 18 million hard-working people.
Congress as part of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) instituted minimum wage back in 1938. The first minimum wage was at $0.25 per hour and the last minimum wage increase occurred in 2007. Over the past 65 years the minimum wage has varied considerably in inflation-adjusted buying power. It has averaged $6.60 an hour in purchasing power in 2013 dollars, but it has ranged from a low of $3.09 an hour in late 1948 to a high of $8.67 an hour in 1968. Today’s minimum wage buys somewhat more than the minimum wage has historically, although it remains over a dollar an hour below its historical high. In addition to the federal minimum wage, nearly all states within the United States have their own minimum wage laws with the exception of South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Sixteen states have a minimum wage that is higher than the federal minimum wage. The first moves to legislate wages did not set minimum wages, rather the laws created arbitration boards and councils to resolve labor conflicts before the recourse to strikes.
Minimum wage is the lowest payment permitted by law or special agreement (labor union). Minimum wage jobs are normally designated for young adults or teens. It does not really permit a suitable living wage for a person with a family. The jobs with minimum wage are learning positions. They enable the worker to gain skills for higher paying jobs. Raising the minimum wage presents a series of advantages and disadvantages to the worker and the economy.
Minimum wage is the lowest wage permitted by law or special agreement. This is the lowest amount of money to be paid in accordance to law. In US, the first federal minimum wage was introduced by Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of Fair Labor Standard Act in 1938 and it all started with $0.25/hr(about $4 in today's value). Since then, there have been many debates over raising the federal minimum wage and so far it has been raised 22 times. As of 2015, the federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr. Even though there is federal minimum wage law, only 20 states follow it including Texas and the rest of them have their own minimum wage laws. Therefore, there are list out there of the pros and cons of raising the minimum wage and the current debate.
It sounds like good news for the low-income workers and their families whenever the government increases the minimum wage. The United States Congress adopted the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938. Congress created the minimum wage toward the end of the Depression era to ensure a "minimum standard oPremium 2048 Words 9 Pages
This wage was only twenty-five cents which was implemented to give all workers of that time fair working standards. Since then the national amount of minimum wage has increased, the latest increase being from $5.15 to the current $7.25 back in the summer of 2009. These changes in wages were made to adjust wages according to the amount of inflation issues of that particular time. When there is inflation prices of goods increase while wages stay the same, therefore, making it harder for a person living on minimum wage to afford the minor goods they need to survive. However, the primary reason for minimum wage is that since it serves as a wage floor there is leeway to create more economic growth and reduce the poverty level here in the United States.
Minimum wage has been around since 1938 as a part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal. Originally set at a mere twenty five cents, the minimum wage along with the value of the U.S dollar have changed drastically. It has been raised over the years as the cost of living increased as the economy augmented. However with inflation setting in people think raising the minimum wage is an adequate was to counteract the inflation. Inflation will happen no matter what, the amount we make shouldn’t be increased, the cost of living should be reduced.
Minimum wage is the lowest wage that an employer is allowed to pay. This wage is regulated by the law, so all workers must follow this rule. According to the book, “Minimum Wages”, the author Neumark, David states, “in 1938, the U.S. Congress passed a federal minimum wage as part of the Fair Labor Standard Act” (Neumark 1). Since that time, the minimum wage has been regulating and controlling by the law. This minimum wage causes a bad effect to the economy because nobody wants to work with low wage. Therefore, the number of people who quit a job has been increasing, and because of this, the unemployment rate is going to be higher. This issue may cause a big impact to our society and economy in the near future.
The debate on increasing or eliminating minimum wages is of serious concern for the developing and developed economies. Minimum wage is the amount of lowest wage, set by the federal state to allow employers to pay minimum wage per hour to the employees (Bloobergview.org, 2014). Here, the area of concern is whether there should be minimum wage or not in the country. Well, I strongly oppose the idea of having a minimum wage in the economy. The increase in minimum wage will increase the cost of the job market, as companies have to pay enormous amounts even in the hiring of unskilled staff (Gorman, 2014). As economists raised their concern on the announcement of president Obama when he decided to increase the wage rate up to 10 dollars an hour, which will help to strengthen the economy. But it
For many decades now, 75 years since it was introduce, Americans have been debating over the concern of minimum wages and increases in those wages. Most people have a leaning to assume that when the minimum wage is increased people will benefit. They do not think of the consequences that come from increasing minimum wages. This paper is an attempt to explore, why minimum wages should not change, don't actually realize the implications of doing so. Let say the minimum wage is raised from $5 to $10 per hour, the people making $5 don't get paid more, and they lose their job, because they are only worth $5 per hour. Even in a perfect world, if no jobs were lost after increasing the minimum wage, the only thing achieved is a shift in the economy. yet again, if the minimum wage is increased to $10 per hour and everyone makes more money, then the purchasing power of that $10 drops to balance everything out, and that way nothing is gained. On the other hand, many people argue the opposite and that minimum wages should rise.
Minimum wage is the basic rate of pay for employees. This is pertained to normal hours of work and doesn’t necessarily include overtime. The industrial sector decides the minimum wage that applies to their employment. Industrial sector pertains to the enterprise agreement, national minimum wage order, modern award, and the transitional pay scale. In the United States, the minimum wage is set local, state, and federal statutes. The provisions for minimum wage the Federal government are set by the Fair Labor Standards Act. This minimum wage is set specified by either the local government, state government, or the federal government. The current minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. The employers must follow these rules whilst employing employees. Certain states have created laws under which wage payment for the usual or promised amount. The FLSA does not cover such wages or commissions that are excess to those in its requirements
Minimum wage is the lowest wage that an employer is allowed to pay. This wage is regulated by the law, so all workers must follow this rule. According to the book, “Minimum Wages”, the author Neumark, David states, “In 1938, the U.S. Congress passed a federal minimum wage as part of the Fair Labor Standard Act” (Neumark 1). Since that time, the minimum wage has been regulated and controlled by the law. This minimum wage causes a bad effect on the economy because nobody wants to work with a low wage. Therefore, the number of people who quit a job has been increasing, and because of this, the unemployment rate is going to be higher. This issue may cause a big impact on our society and economy in the near future.
The minimum wage is the least amount an employer must pay his/her employee for working. (Mankiw). Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, ensuring that workers have an adequate standard of living by adding a minimum wage (Mankiw). Today, the national minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Looking at changes in poverty, 15% of Americans were living
Minimum wage is a base level of pay that employers are required to pay their employees. Minimum wage was created by congress under the Fair Labor Standards Act signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1938. Since then it has been a very controversial topic. Not only are there people for and against it, but even the people for it debate whether the amount should be raised or lowered. Congress has increased the minimum wage 22 times since it was introduced.