Recent comments to a current thread have prompted me to start this one.

We have seen a recent pay rise of $26 per week for low paid workers, which by the way, is pretty much every small business employee.

Now I use the example of a factory with 300 employees making an export product. Unfortunately, not as common as they once were.

Now to pay each worker $26 per week, that amounts to around $400K per year.

Now I am sure you all agree that if one invests a dollar, you are entitled to kame a dollar, Agree?

So, that $400K now becomes $800K, a dollar for staff and a dollar for the boss.

Now we also have the marketing firm, the logistics firm and all others who have an input into getting this product to its destination.

So, add this up and the end product is now $1million dollar dearer to the customer.

But! Will they pay this increase, or simply seek a cheaper alternative.

This is why a pay rise should not be granted simply because life becomes tough.

rehctub,

I know where you're coming from. I mean, peasants these days don't know what tough is, right. They have this thoroughly modern idea that they should be able to pay off a mortgage and buy clothes for their kids...I call it decadence.

I hope all the chicks on your pay role get pregnant. That would blow your mind.

Dear Poirot.. you do need a smack :) and I'm a-gonna givit you.....

Your sarcasm was misplaced. Rechtub has a very valid point.

My wife just received that rise..and we are very happy about it for now, but I also know that the company she works for was either acquired or partially bought out by a Japanese company.. hmmmmm *thinks*..the products they make could EASILY be made in China... and now I wonder what the directors are saying behind closed doors...and how long my mrs will have a job?

You mention mortgages ? Yep..we all want to be able to pay them, 100% of my wifes pay goes into ours.. and even that isn't quite enough.
Imagine how we would be if that company said one day "Hey.. china is looking pretty good now.... let's re-locate"

Yep.. we would be screwed, so if you give me a choice between $26 a week more, with job security out the window...or the old pay rate with more security.. I'm gonna go for security mate.

I've mentioned b4,..I'm doing contract work with a company which is in the PROCESS of relocating or outsourcing as much of it's processes and parts as it can. (to China)

To give you an idea of just how hard it is to compete with China on a 'level' playing field, (i.e..with no compensatory tarrifs) I know of a product bought from China at less than a dollar and is sold for $5.00.. thoussssssands of them.

So... prepare for the 'end' :) yes.. doom is almost upon us... isn't it weird..once upon a time, if someone said that we would laugh ourselves stupid about it.. but no

If the minimum wage doesn't cause unemployment, why not make it $100 an hour?

Poirot
Most of the rest of the world is poorer than you and they don't owe you a living.