Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

irredentistdecency t1_j38dawa wrote

We really should include people who aren’t earning a living wage in the unemployment figures to more accurately reflect the state of our economy.

41

TheMcWhopper t1_j39kcjp wrote

Is there even a definition for a "living wage"

4

irredentistdecency t1_j3auozf wrote

A living wage is a wage that meets or exceeds the government’s calculated cost of living for a particular area.

No person who works 40 hours a week should earn less than the actual cost necessary to provide that labor.

Otherwise we are as a society subsidizing the operations of corporations.

15

BullAlligator t1_j39qtcz wrote

Yes. It's enough money to maintain a decent standard of living without being subsidized by the government.

The question then is what qualifies for a "decent standard of living".

7

irredentistdecency t1_j3aufi6 wrote

While I agree with your perspective, your argument adds complexity that weakens the case rather than strengthen it.

The government already calculates a “cost of living index” for every part of the country.

A living wage is simply any wage which is at or above the cost of living in that location.

Should we, as a society aim for the higher standard of a “a decent wage”? Absolutely, & I’d define a decent wage as a wage that allows a person to cover the basic costs of living + 10% of their income in discretionary spending & another 10% in savings.

I find it amazing that the idea that corporations have to make a profit from their efforts is considered obvious but the idea that a worker also should profit (profit being income minus expenses) is considered communism.

3

BullAlligator t1_j3d7tna wrote

Yeah I think it's disturbing how most people live with well below the standards I have for a decent wage and wealth is very unevenly distributed.

6

JoelyMalookey t1_j3bxlh6 wrote

There are a bunch of U numbers at the bureau of labor and statistics website.

2

Stunning_Earth9624 t1_j3a8knl wrote

This number does not nclude the people who have given up looking, which is probably at the highest it has ever been in years.

13

Cwallace98 t1_j3a9e89 wrote

People that have given up because childcare is too expensive is a big one.

4

pattiemcfattie t1_j3cdskw wrote

How about the people who have been laid off and still have cash? Eg tech workers.

3

HaroldGodwin t1_j3ib0m8 wrote

Apparently people in these replies don't understand these statistics. These figures are based on a consistent methodology that hasn't changed. And so the numbers can be compared to each other and trends drawn.

You can compare rates of long-term unemployed to each other, but that's different from the overall Unemployment Rate.

2

AutoModerator t1_j37sywo wrote

Reminder: this subreddit is meant to be a place free of excessive cynicism, negativity and bitterness. Toxic attitudes are not welcome here.

All Negative comments will be removed and will possibly result in a ban.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

RaisenVR t1_j3m0tx0 wrote

"nObOdY WaNtS tO WoRk AnYmOrE"

1