It sometimes seems that individual people aren't part of the thought process behind laws made at high levels of government. One case in point is the debate over raising the minimum wage. Many argue that minimum wage jobs are entry-level jobs held by teenagers or other workers not dependent on those wages for all of life's expenses, so they don't "need" a living wage.
Here is a very personal, very detailed description of the daily life of a woman who works in fast food and raises two children as a single parent. She is making above the federal minimum wage and works full-time, yet still struggles to feed her family, get everyone where they need to go, and have enough for necessities like doing laundry and buying herself new socks.
If Ms. Lyons' story isn't enough to justify a significant raise in the minimum wage, we should all remember that she is one of many thousands of people in the same situation. Living near or below the poverty line is hard work, even before you go to a 40-hour-a-week job.
3 comments:
Minimum wages are constitutionalized in order to make sure the employees are given the right compensation for their jobs. However, there are times that their daily expenses don't fit in their salaries. I believe it should be the employer’s preference if they would be giving additional incentives to those who are working so hard during their shift. In case an employee isn’t given just compensation in parallel to the work they perform, they should file a charge against their employer.
RobertNOAlaw
Thanks for commenting. The minimum wage was set under the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who described the minimum wage as something that should allow someone to live a life of dignity without want.
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