In France, we've a minimum wage since 1950 (SMIG, then SMIC from 1970). Right now, it's value is €10.48 / hour, i.e. $11.86. Sounds a lot, isn't it ? But many, many people, from truck drivers to bricklayers, cooks to factory workers, get the SMIC and not more, whatever hard or important their job is. And when the trade unions complain, the bosses say : "You get the SMIC, so what ?".
In France, we've a minimum wage since 1950 (SMIG, then SMIC from 1970). Right now, it's value is €10.48 / hour, i.e. $11.86. Sounds a lot, isn't it ? But many, many people, from truck drivers to bricklayers, cooks to factory workers, get the SMIC and not more, whatever hard or important their job is. And when the trade unions complain, the bosses say : "You get the SMIC, so what ?".
In France, we've a minimum wage since 1950 (SMIG, then SMIC from 1970). Right now, it's value is €10.48 / hour, i.e. $11.86. Sounds a lot, isn't it ? But many, many people, from truck drivers to bricklayers, cooks to factory workers, get the SMIC and not more, whatever hard or important their job is. And when the trade unions complain, the bosses say : "You get the SMIC, so what ?".
If we had sound money and a truly free market, everyone would be getting wealthier every year, not poorer. Minimum wage would not be a big deal.