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I understand people the feeling people have when it comes to minimum wages, it is indeed 'unfair' in a certain sense for someone to make so little while a CEO may be making an annual salary in the millions $$. But, on the other hand, we see that when the minimum wage is raised, unemployment amongst the unskilled work force increases.

From my simple perspective, it makes more sense for 100 people to work for $6 per hour than 60 working for $10. I know I would prefer to work for some money than not have any job. Assuming that as long as the wages are enough to live on, why should the government continue to raise the minimum wage?

event horizon wrote:why should the government continue to raise the minimum wage?

Where I am from, minimum wages should be raised, so that the minimum wage is higher than social welfare/benefits for the unemployed.

Where im from, Minimum wage is when you get a kick in the face for the work , anything other than that is considered good , yep

Good point, FD. Maybe the government can lower welfare and minimum wage can remain the same or be lowered. If mw is raised, then companies will only higher fewer people who were on welfare.

event horizon wrote:I understand people the feeling people have when it comes to minimum wages, it is indeed 'unfair' in a certain sense for someone to make so little while a CEO may be making an annual salary in the millions $$. But, on the other hand, we see that when the minimum wage is raised, unemployment amongst the unskilled work force increases.

From my simple perspective, it makes more sense for 100 people to work for $6 per hour than 60 working for $10. I know I would prefer to work for some money than not have any job. Assuming that as long as the wages are enough to live on, why should the government continue to raise the minimum wage?

What country are you talking about EH? In the US minimum wage is raised to keep up with the increase in the cost of living and to keep people OFF of the welfare system. People earning minimum wage pay into the tax system. The increase in minimum wage does not raise unemployment.

Why is it unfair that the person who is educated, worked hard and strived to succeed and made a career for himself to make more money that someone who is lazy or uneducated or lacks motivation? Even poor people can get an education and succeed. Should the person who succeeded feel guilty about his earnings?

As for your simple perspective, using the US as an example, thinking that it is cost effective to employ 100 people at $6 per hour at minimum wage vs 60 people at $10 per hour is absent of logic. With your 100 at $6 per hour, take into consideration the cost of medical coverage, holiday pay, vacation pay, sick pay and whatever other costs a company may incur per employee Certainly those benefits provided for by the company would be reduced if the number is 60. It is more beneficial to hire 60 people who are better workers, educated, better skilled and have potential as well as it being cost-saving for the company.

It is more beneficial to hire 60 people who are better workers, educated, better skilled and have potential as well as it being cost-saving for the company.

I'm sorry, but we're talking about the same job here, everyone would be required to meet the same prerequisites to be considered for employment. I'm not really sure how your 'logic' of paying for medical coverage (we're talking minimum waged jobs here) wouldn't cover the higher payed minimum waged workers either.

What country are you talking about EH?

In the United States.

In the US minimum wage is raised to keep up with the increase in the cost of living and to keep people OFF of the welfare system. People earning minimum wage pay into the tax system. The increase in minimum wage does not raise unemployment.

Not according to several studies. (Paying into the tax system is a moot point since we're talking about private companies anyways, not sure how bringing that up was in any way relevant)

Employers are going to hire fewer unskilled workers if they have to pay more for them. This is common sense. So the question then proposed is if it's better to hire fewer workers for a little more or more workers for a little less per hour. I said I would prefer if more people were employed for $6 per hour than fewer employed for $9/hour, because that meant 'X' amount of people would not be making *ANY* money at all.

Why is it unfair that the person who is educated, worked hard and strived to succeed and made a career for himself to make more money that someone who is lazy or uneducated or lacks motivation?

What? What does that have anything to do with minimum waged jobs? If that person works hard and is educated then he should expect promotions. That's what is fair. And I would imagine that if he is highly educated, he would be working a position that pays higher than minimum wage.