I think that the minimum wage increase in California is absurd. The minimum wage level is supposed to reach $7.50 by 2007 and $8 an hour in 2008.
Wage increases should be given based on one’s work ethic, not just because it is mandatory.
I believe that increasing the minimum wage will cause a lack in employee motivation to improve work habits, and possibly it could discourage people from trying to get a higher education which could land them better jobs.
Yeah, the cost of living is increasing, but that affects everyone, not just the minimum wagers.
It is also affecting small businesses that often hire people at minimum wage.
Employers already pay enough on insurance, benefits, and taxes; the increase may force small business owners to hire only part-time workers, which would be bad for our economy.
Perhaps a higher minimum wage should be set for larger corporations that can afford it, or per industry, not just down the line.
I think that businesses should be able to increase their workers’ pay when they have the means to do it and when the employee deserves it.
I can understand where in a city like Los Angeles, San Diego, or San Francisco, a higher minimum wage would make a significant difference on poverty because the cost of living in those areas is so ridiculously high.
However, in Bakersfield the cost of living is still reasonable.
You can still get a one- or two-bedroom apartment anywhere in Bakersfield from $520 – $750.
I think, however, that the biggest misconception regarding the increase is that it will help some get off federal assistance; that is complete crap.
What motivation is it going to give people already on assistance to get off of it? “Here’s more money for doing nothing.”
What a terribly brilliant idea: Let’s increase pay so that businesses will be forced to raise the cost of goods and services even more just to stay in business, ultimately causing these people to need an even bigger raise.