Job Market Monitor
Minimum wage
Inclusive labor-market institutions: the most effective general remedy for low-wage jobs
“Over the last two decades, high – and, in some countries, rising – rates of low-wage work have emerged as a major political concern” writes John Schmitt in Low-wage Lessons (Choosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor to follow) According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in 2009, about one-fourth of U.S. workers were in low-wage … Continue reading
Thailand / Minimum wage: fierce criticism
The Thai government, known for its string of populist policies including rice and fuel subsidies, is delighting working class voters (those with a job, anyway) with the introduction of a national minimum wage, which kicked in on January 1. The policy has already triggered fierce criticism in business circles and reports of job losses, particularly … Continue reading
US / Five states without a state-set minimum wage, Louisiana is one of them
A recent national report shows that Louisiana is one of only five states without a state-set minimum wage, but state officials say it doesn’t really matter. The National Conference of State Legislators report shows that Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee have no set minimums that must be paid to workers in private or … Continue reading
Minimum wage / Ford instituted a $5 per day minimum wage on Jan. 5, 1914
On Jan. 5, 1914, Henry Ford announced a series of work reforms and special payments for Ford Motor Co. employees that included a $5 per day minimum wage, at a time when the average pay for American workers was $12.50 a week. Ford also announced that its factories would run continuously, up from 18 hours … Continue reading
Thailand / Minimum Wage / Smaller industries soon to be shaken says Federation of Thai Industries
Five to ten per cent of Thailand’s labour intensive businesses, unable to tolerate the new Bt300 daily minimum wage, will close down in the first quarter of this year, Federation of Thai Industries’ vice chairman Taweekit Chaturacharoenkhun predicted on Wednesday. He said labour intensive small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly in the textile, service and agricultural … Continue reading
US / Top Miminum Wage will rise by 1.2 Big Mac per week to $10.55
The highest minimum wage in the nation is set to rise again in 2013, as San Francisco’s low-end compensation rate will increase from $10.24 to $10.55 per hour. In 2003, voters approved a local ordinance tying the minimum wage to the regional rate of inflation in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. Set at $8.50 … Continue reading
US / Minimum wages raises will benefit nearly 1 million workers in 10 States reports National Employment Law Project
The minimum wage will increase in ten states on Jan. 1, modestly boosting the incomes of nearly one million low-paid workers in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. The state minimum wage rates will rise between 10 and 35 cents per hour, resulting in an extra $190 to $510 … Continue reading
Quebec / Minimum wage set to rise $0.25 per hour (2.53 per cent ) on May 1
The minimum wage in Quebec will increase by $0.25 per hour effective May 1, bringing it to $10.15. This measure, announced Wednesday, will benefit more than 365,000 workers in Quebec, including more than nine out of 10 working in the service sector, particularly in the hospitality, catering and retail. The minimum wage for employees who … Continue reading
Mexico / Minimum wage to raise by 3.9% in 2013
Mexico’s minimum wage commission agreed Tuesday to grant a 3.9% increase in the minimum wage beginning in 2013, below the 4.2% hike granted a year before and less than the current rate of inflation. The commission, which includes representatives of government, business and labor unions, said the increase of 3.9% brings to just under 65 … Continue reading
Lithuania / Minimum wage will increase at 6.06 LTL (EUR 1.7)
On Wednesday, the Government of Lithuania led by Social Democrat Algirdas Butkevicius approved of the proposition to increase minimum monthly wage (MMA) to LTL 1,000 (EUR 289) as of January 1, 2013, informs LETA/ELTA. The minimum hourly wage was set at LTL 6.06 (EUR 1.7). “We start work by implementing the commitments made to our … Continue reading
French minimum wage: 9.43 euros ($12.40)
France’s Socialist government has announced it’s raising the country’s minimum wage for the second time in seven months. The measure is to boost consumer spending despite Paris’ austerity course. The French government said on Monday the cross-sector general minimum wage in the country would be increased by 0.3 percent as of January 1, 2013. It … Continue reading
Colombia / Better to let parties negociate than to set minimum wage says President Santos
President Juan Manuel Santos emphasised Friday that “a minimum wage that is too high promotes unemployment and encourages informality,” pouring cold water on any hopes Colombians may have had in a significant increase in the minimum wage, El Tiempo reported. “The goal [of any new wage agreement] should be to maintain the minimum wage’s current … Continue reading
Minimum Wage / Pushing for a livable wage
Before the recession, Amie Crawford was an interior designer, earning $50,000 a year patterning baths and cabinets for architectural firms. Now, she’s a “team member” at the Protein Bar in Chicago, where she makes $8.50 an hour, slightly more than minimum wage. It was the only job she could find after months of looking. Crawford, … Continue reading
Hong Kong / Minimum Wage Increases
The Hong Kong government said it would raise the minimum wage by 7 per cent in May next year as it tries to allay concerns about a growing disparity between the rich and the poor in the city. The lowest salaries will rise to HK$30 (US$3.90) an hour, the government said on Wednesday, affecting about … Continue reading
Indonesia / Large-scale labor rally for minimum wage increase in Medan
A large-scale labor rally in Medan forced dozens of companies to suspend operations on Thursday, with the firms’ workers following the lead of their Jakarta counterparts by demanding a significant minimum wage increase. Thousands of workers from Medan and surrounding areas continued their rally for a second day on Thursday, after their Wednesday protest caused … Continue reading
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