Oregon’s Minimum Wage Going Up, Pricing More Entry-Level Job Seekers Out of Work
The Job-Killing Impact of Minimum Wage Laws
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Here’s the concept that “compassionate” liberals just don’t seem to understand: starting wages are just that – STARTING wages. Entry level jobs aren’t SUPPOSED to support a family. They’re supposed to help unskilled and inexperienced workers start at the bottom rung so they can climb the economic ladder as their skills and experience increase to meet the demands of higher-paying jobs. If you keep raising the bottom rung out of reach, you make it harder for them to lift themselves out of poverty.
The cost of living is going up because of government-caused inflation (thanks, Federal Reserve), and forcing employers to pay higher-than-market wages for unskilled work that isn’t worth the price is going to mean fewer hires and more unemployment – making the lives of entry-level workers WORSE, not better!
Many people entering the job market (especially young people) are being priced out of entry-level jobs by the minimum wage. Government is essentially moving the starting line away from them so that they can’t even join the race.
Oregon’s minimum-wage workers will get an extra 30 cents an hour next year.
Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian announced Thursday that the minimum wage will rise to $8.80 per hour on Jan. 1.
Oregon voters approved a ballot measure in 2002 that requires a minimum wage adjustment each year based on changes in inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index. Avakian says the index rose 3.77 percent over the past year.
Oregon and Washington are among 10 states that adjust the minimum wage based on the index. Washington is expected to announce its next adjustment later this month.
Cross posted at ThoughtsFromAConservativeMom.com
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