Toward a Stronger Minimum Wage in 2010's Economy

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The Minimum Wage: Information, Opinion, Research

Although their minimum wage is set by federal law, domestic workers' wages and working conditions have been inadequate and unprotected in most other ways, a deficit with its roots in the history of the work of women, especially those of color, and likely to be corrected in New York State by a proposed law. June 2010

Analysis and debate over how the federal minimum wage increase in July of last year has affected the part-time employment rate in the recession.  2010

Where the Jobs Are. The New York Times

An editorial pointing out that the increase to $7.25 is not enough to assure adequate pay in the rapidly growing number of low-paying jobs nationally. July 2009

Restoring the Minimum Wage for America's Tipped Workers. Rajesh D. Nayak and Paul K. Sonn

Since 1991, tipped employees who were not coverd by better state minimums have been paid only $2.13 per hour under the federal minimum wage law. This report from the National Employment Law Project argues for raising the federal minimum for tipped employees and linking it to the level of the regular minimum wage. August 2009 

Low-Wage Workers Are Often Cheated, Study Says. New York Times

A stronger minimum wage for the future will mean not only a higher one but an enforced one as well. This article on a major study of employment and labor law violations summarizes the severity of the problem.  September 2009

Prompted in part by the study of wage violations cited above, cities and states seek to strengthen enforcement. 2009

Lower-wage jobs can spur the economy. Los Angeles Times

The rationale behind the city's creation of thousands of new subsidized jobs paying $10 per hour. February 2010

National Minimum Wage: Low Pay Commission Report, 2010

Each year, Great Britain's Low Pay Commission recommends adjustments to Britain's national minimum wage based on their continuous review of the wage's effectiveness. The 2010 report includes the effects of the recession on low wages and low-wage employment. Always readable and fascinating, without anything equivalent in the U.S., these reports constitute the best education available on the social, economic, and enforcement aspects of the minimum wage.  

Revised formula counts more Americans in poverty. huffingtonpost.com

Although the minimum wage isn't mentioned here, the revised formula for calculating poverty threshholds is likely to be an important topic in the next round of minimum wage debates. September 2009

Sourcing: Caution is key when buying from Bangladesh. just-style.com

In this recession, bargains here at home take their toll elsewhere. An apparel-industry publication covers the Bangladesh garment industry, its $11-$24 per month minimum wage, and the U.S. and European retailers who buy there. June 24

The Minimum Wage: Information, Opinion, Research