5.
"How Could Anyone's Labor Be Valued at Less Than the Minimum Wage?"
It is often difficult for some to understand how anyone's labor cannot
be valued at least at the current minimum wage. The thought might run
something like: "Even just sweeping up or washing dishes surely is valued
at $5.15 an hour, so how can this wage damage anyone's job prospects?
Besides, I've never had a problem finding a job and neither have any of
my friends." But this view is mistaken. Those who cannot understand
how anyone's labor is not valued at the minimum wage are viewing the
situation from their own circumstances. They don't realize that their
personal circumstances may be different from those of someone at the
bottom of the socioeconomic scale. A little compassion and empathy for
the conditions of others is required.
People typically associate with their peers--those of similar education,
class and ability backgrounds. But there are in fact others not so
comfortably situated. If the typical middle-class worker were asked to
list his job skills it is very doubtful he would include such things
as showing up to the job on time, calling in sick when necessary,
being polite to the employer and his customers, showering and wearing
clean clothes, filling out the job application neatly, knowing how
to make change, being literate, etc. For most of us these are not
considered job skills; they are too obvious to warrant listing and are
just part of the unquestioned routines of life. But there are those
who are disadvantaged, whose parents did not support themselves or were
alcoholic, for example. Whatever the sad situation, the offspring have
not learned these fundamental job skills. Further, it is too well-known
to be controversial that high schools have for years been graduating
the functionally illiterate. Therefore, there are in fact unskilled
people for whom the minimum wage of $5.15 is too high for an employer
to risk hiring. Still doubtful? Ask around about this; if you have
not directly encountered people such as I've described, ask someone who
handles taking applications and managing entry-level workers.
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