I think you really nailed something there… We don’t really have a minimum wage, we have a minimal wage.
A proper minimum wage should be pegged to the cost of living - it’s the minimum required to live. Instead, what we’ve got is companies paying the absolute least that they’re required to, and lobbying to keep that number as low as possible regardless of the cost of living.
Switzerland doesn’t have a minimum wage either, but the problems aren’t as dire (yet). Several cantons have however now introduced minimum wages and these are inflation adjusted, so a lot more future proof. Also they don’t need to be renegotiated again and again as the law doesn’t expire. I only see them disappear if we get a nationwide solution that replaces the local ones. But I agree with you: They are now set by the legislature and arbitrary and they should be informed with NGO data.
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… But we do have one… It’s just very… Minimal.
Minimum should mean minimum amount necessary to live a (dignified) life, not simply the minimum amount.
Any minimum wage should be pegged to a cost of living index.
I think you really nailed something there… We don’t really have a minimum wage, we have a minimal wage.
A proper minimum wage should be pegged to the cost of living - it’s the minimum required to live. Instead, what we’ve got is companies paying the absolute least that they’re required to, and lobbying to keep that number as low as possible regardless of the cost of living.
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Let’s call it “livable minimum wage” or this discussion will never end.
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Switzerland doesn’t have a minimum wage either, but the problems aren’t as dire (yet). Several cantons have however now introduced minimum wages and these are inflation adjusted, so a lot more future proof. Also they don’t need to be renegotiated again and again as the law doesn’t expire. I only see them disappear if we get a nationwide solution that replaces the local ones. But I agree with you: They are now set by the legislature and arbitrary and they should be informed with NGO data.