• Engelsk
  • Utdanning: Vg2
  • Karakter: 5
  • Ord: 819

Innledning
Currently, the minimum wage stands at $7.25 per hour, with the last increase occurring on July 24, 2009, marking the longest decade without a raise in the minimum wage, amounting to 11 years.

Over time, due to inflation, the minimum wage has decreased by more than 30% since 1968, resulting in historically low earnings for the workforce in the US, and the situation is exacerbated by ongoing inflation.

The concern lies in the potential negative impact of wage increases on businesses, particularly smaller ones, leading to a loss for the average resident in the long term.

The question at hand is whether raising the minimum wage will have adverse effects on the US economy.

Utdrag
The plight of American workers reflects a decline in their real wages compared to 2009. A counterargument to this issue lies in the fact that many individuals are employed but still trapped in poverty.

A significant proportion, approximately 70%, of those reliant on assistance programs such as SNAP, food stamps, and Medicaid are full-time workers, as discussed in "starvation wages."

This problem extends beyond just small businesses, as even major corporations like Walmart and McDonald's employ workers who need government aid to make ends meet, instead of earning sufficient wages.

Nonetheless, opponents of increasing the minimum wage assert that such a move would lead to millions losing their jobs.

The video "Two experts debate the potential consequences of raising the minimum wage" features Genevieve Wood, who cites an analysis from 2016 indicating that doubling the minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 would eliminate seven million low-wage jobs.

Hence, implementing a federal minimum wage increase might inadvertently result in heightened poverty and unemployment.

An opposing viewpoint against wage increases centers on the challenges faced by small businesses in coping with higher labor costs, potentially leading to closures or cuts in other expenses, as highlighted in "$15 Minimum Wage: How Have SMBs Been Affected?"

The study suggests that such businesses may resort to cost-cutting measures or seek ways to boost revenue. Unfortunately, this can result in adverse outcomes, such as price hikes and layoffs, affecting both small businesses and consumers alike.