Quote:
Originally Posted by Resolute 14
Something else to consider: I've worked those menial jobs. And I didn't deserve more than a menial paycheque when I had them. And I sure as hell did not expect society to subsidize me if I chose to stay in such jobs. I went to school, learned skills, and got a better job. Our social safety net should exist to protect people who are incapable of doing that. It should not be encouraging people who are otherwise able to move up to be satisfied as menial labour.
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Except then the social safety net is subsidizing businesses instead. If, and I don't think too many people would debate this, having food, shelter, and clothing, and a moderate level of psychological comfort are essential to be a minimally productive employee, then shouldn't the minimum wage reflect this? If someone is working 40 hours a week and still can't afford these things without government assistance, then government assistance is essentially subsidizing the actual costs of labour, and from an ethical standpoint becomes an exploitative arrangement.
EDIT: I should add that I don't know if the current minimum wage is sufficient in Alberta to provide all these things because I haven't lived there for 7 years, but I would suspect it isn't.