Minimum Wage

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the benefits of the introduction of minimum wage to labor laws in America. It examines both the argument in favor of and against the introduction of this law in America. The paper then applies the two arguments to assessing the viability of the statement that retail giant Wal-Mart unfairly compensates its employees for their labor.

From the Paper:

"Huge retail employer Wal-Mart has faced specific criticism of its reluctance to raise employee wages, as well as its policies, considered restrictive by many, regarding the provision of employee benefits such as health care and retirement programs. The arguments of those who favor Wal-Mart paying its employees a living wage say that the retailer could set an example of the viability of such a policy for other large and small corporations. Detractors from this suggestion note that the policy will, at least immediately, decrease profitability and increase costs for the retailer, potentially harming the overall economy. Especially since the average wage at Wal-Mart is only $9.68 per hour, $2.60 lower than the national average wage, critics of the company assert that the retailer does not provide sufficient benefits or pay for its employees and, in light of the huge profits it receives, can afford to do so (Sharp 2005)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• David Card and Alan Krueger. Myth and Measurement: The New Economics of the Minimum Wage 1997
• "History of Federal Minimum Wage Rates Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, 1938 - 1996", Department of Labor, March 31, 2006.
• Sharp, Nora "Advocates push for living wage," The Oberlin Review 10/7/05. Available online at http://www.oberlin.edu/stupub/ocreview/2005/10/7/news/article2.html
• Skalka, Jennifer "Miminum wage rise passes," Baltimore Sun 1/18/06, 1.B. Available online at http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/970930291.html?dids=970930291:970930291&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+18%2C+2006&author=JENNIFER+SKALKA&pub=The+Sun&desc=Minimum-wage+rise+passes+

More papers on Minimum Wage:

• Analytical Essay # 134145 : "Minimum Wage Bill in US Congress"
• Analytical Essay # 126575 : "Minimum Wage: Effects on Jobs and Economy"
• Analytical Essay # 32734 : "Minimum Wage"
• Argumentative Essay # 1000 : "An Argument Against Raising the Minimum Wage"

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