Minimum Wage Research Articles

Reconciling market and moral logics on a minimum wage: Supermarket work in Australia during the first two years of the SARS-COV-2 pandemic

Essential workers generate and maintain basic services that populations must receive, without interruption, to sustain a healthy, functional society. When SARS-COV-2 spread around the world, mundane low-paid work in essential non-healthcare industries such as supermarkets, became high risk, makeshift and unpredictable. Drawing on recent scholarship in the sociology of work, we conducted 32 interviews to capture how supermarket workers in Australia navigated the trade-offs and moral choices entailed in performing essential roles in non-health settings during a pandemic. We found that, as key assumptions about the resilience of globalised modernity and its supporting systems were tested, supermarket workers found themselves at the centre of experiments and public debates about the effectiveness and appropriateness of different infection control measures. Compensating for a lack of preparedness by governments and corporations, they were forced to accept, and then tasked with resolving inconsistencies between the political economy of low paid work and the moral economy of social provision. Given the experiences of those who found themselves in essential roles outside healthcare, there is an urgent need to reconceptualize what ‘successful’ pandemic preparedness and response entails. Reflecting on their experiences, these workers told us that expressions of solidarity and concern, from those not sharing their position of biological and financial precarity, were of little value. Drawing on the market logics that define their employment as essential and replaceable, the workers we spoke to observed that fair renumeration for risks and better protections were the most important considerations in recasting how societies prepare for future pandemics.

Reimbursement of earnings or income lost by the party as a result of appearing before a court or a public administration authority

The Article 86.3 of the Act on court costs in civil cases (which also applies in administrative cases and cases tried before administrative courts) establishes the upper limit of compensation for earnings or income lost by a person who appeared before a civil court, administrative court or public administration authority. A similar solution is provided for in Article 618b § 3 of the Code of Criminal Procedure in relation to the maximum amount of compensation for lost earnings that may be awarded to a witness in criminal proceedings. Unless specific provisions do not provide otherwise, this amount is currently (2024) PLN 82.31, which is much lower than the average daily wage of a person receiving the minimum wage and, as such, in most cases, does not compensate for the actual loss suffered by the party, witness or expert who appeared before the court or public administration authority. The applicable provisions specifying the maximum amount of compensation for lost earnings or income are considered inconsistent with the Constitution. For now, however, the Constitutional Tribunal has not recognized them as such, so these provisions are in force. Nevertheless, some judges do not apply them, assuming that they have the right to omit provisions that, in their opinion, are inconsistent with the Constitution. By doing so, they expose themselves to disciplinary liability. Is a regulation establishing an upper limit on the reimbursed income or earnings justified and necessary? Should judges ignore the provisions that set such a limit at too low a level? The author of the paper tries to answer these questions.

The Minimum Wage in Greece: A Review of Institutional Features, Developments and Effects Between 1975 and 2023

Abstract This paper takes a historical perspective and assesses the evolution of the institutional features in setting the minimum wage in Greece between 1975 and 2023. It also evaluates developments regarding the minimum wage level, its bite and alignment with productivity. The paper reviews the limited available empirical literature on the association of the minimum wage with labour market outcomes (average wages, employment, inequality). It presents new estimates of the elasticity of average wages to the minimum wage. One of the paper’s key points is that the minimum wage setting mechanism has changed over time as the economic environment has changed. Reviewing the evolution of the minimum wage over time to evaluate whether the minimum wage follows productivity developments and whether the minimum wage bites leads to the second and third takeaways of the paper. The minimum wage follows productivity developments over the longer term but not always in the short term. The bite of the minimum wage is high and appears to be higher when government intervention in setting the minimum wage is stronger. As for the impact of the minimum wage on average wages, the new estimates of the elasticity of the average to the minimum wage the paper provides, use more precisely measured wage rates, which show a high elasticity of average to minimum wages. Finally, the review of the existing literature on the employment effects of the minimum wage shows that, as in other countries, the results are mixed with modest negative or no effects.

The Impact of Minimum Wage System on Low-Income Groups

The minimum wage system sets a legal floor on the income of workers. It provides economic security for low-wage workers and ensures that their basic needs are met, thereby reducing poverty. For low-income workers, increasing the minimum wage directly enhances their earnings, living standards, and financial stability. As a research focus, the primary area of examination would be the precise effect of minimum wage adjustments on the income levels of those in low-paying jobs: analyze the changes in the real income of low-income workers after the augement of minimum salary and the improvement influence of family economic conditions. Second one is exploring the impact on this system changes employment sector: Examine whether raising the minimum wage causes employers that reduce hiring or layoffs, and the potential impact of such changes on low-skilled labor markets. The last one is analyzing the impacts of minimum wage policies of psychological and low-income groups’ social wellbeing: Using questionnaires to understand changes in the perception of low-income workers about their job satisfaction, quality of life, and social status. The rise in this system significantly rose the income level of low-income workers, helped to alleviate poverty, and raised the basic standard of living of these families. In the short term, that increase may have a certain negative impact on some labor-intensive industries, in the form of a small number of job losses; But over the longer term, the job market stabilizes as companies adapt to increased costs and improve efficiency through technological innovation.

ANALISIS FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI TINGKAT PENGANGGURAN TERBUKA DI JAWA TIMUR 2012-2022

East Java Province has the second population density after West Java Province. This number of population can certainly be an advantage with abundant human resources or problems related to employment. This research is to find out and analyze the effect of minimum wages, population, HDI, PMTB, economic growth, and the agricultural sector has an open response rate in 38 districts/cities of East Java Province in 2012-2022. This study uses quantitative research with panel data models. The results of the research show that the data is free from classical assumption problems with the minimum wage variable having a significant positive influence, the population variable and the agriculture, forestry and fisheries variables having an insignificant and positive influence, the HDI and PMTB variables having a significant negative influence, the economic growth variable having the influence is insignificant and negative.

Unintended workplace safety consequences of minimum wages

We investigate the unintended impact of minimum wage increases on workplace safety. Using establishment-level data from the United States and a cohort-based stacked difference-in-differences design, we find that large increases in minimum wages have significant adverse effects on workplace safety. Our findings indicate that, on average, a large minimum wage increase results in a 4.6 percent increase in the total case rate. Event study estimates show that this adverse effect persists in the medium run. Furthermore, we find a more salient effect for firms more likely to be financially constrained or subject to a higher labor market rigidity in firing workers. We provide suggestive evidence that small minimum wage increases might reduce injury rates, highlighting the potential heterogeneity in the impact of minimum wage changes. We do not find evidence that capital-labor substitution could be behind the findings.

Mexico's Minimum Wage Data: Trends, Policies, and a Research Agenda

The decline of the real value of the minimum wage amid trade liberalization in Mexico has raised concerns about its policy effectiveness and unintended consequences. The literature has examined the impact of minimum wage adjustments on employment levels, worker earnings, poverty, and inequality. However, findings from different sample periods and regions still need to be reconciled. It is necessary to understand the mechanisms connecting minimum wage to other market components. This research note first explores Mexico’s minimum wage data from 1980 to 2023 to grasp its spatial and temporal trends. We then discuss several future research directions to explore mechanisms through which minimum wage potentially works, including the welfare effect of the policy, the informal sector, and interactions between different policy tools.

Educational activities in the prevention of gestacional anemia

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of gestational anemia and verify whether educational activities interfere with the presence of gestational anemia. Methodology: Cross-sectional study, nested within a prospective cohort, from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy, carried out in the city of São Luís, Maranhão. Sociodemographic, lifestyle and clinical questionnaires, as well as a questionnaire on food and nutritional insecurity, were applied. For data analysis, Poisson logistic regression was used. Results: The sample consisted of 309 pregnant women, where the prevalence of self-reported anemia was 16.82%. Most pregnant women were between 20 and 29 years old (50.49%). 49.51% belonged to socioeconomic classes D (from 1 to 3 minimum wages) and E (up to 1 minimum wage). Participation in educational activities during prenatal care (PR=0.30; CI=0.9-1.04; p=0.001), belonging to socioeconomic classes D/E (PR=0.82; CI=4.27 -5.45; p=0.001), is in the third trimester (PR=2.74; CI=0.78-0.60; p=0.002) and experiences food and nutritional insecurity (PR=2.49; CI =1.07-5.78; p=0.033) were issues associated with anemia during pregnancy. Conclusion: Educational activities during the gestational period are important to combat gestational anemia and promote health. The study showed a low prevalence of self-reported anemia, which may indicate that limiting factors, such as the pandemic period, made it difficult to access examination results or even undergo them.

Socioeconomic Profiling and Dynamics: Insights from a Rural Community Study in Kedah

This study provides a socio-economic profile of Mahang and Nagalilit, two sub-districts in Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia. Residents of Mahang primarily rely on rubber tapping and oil palm cultivation, industries vulnerable to monsoon weather. In Desa Keda Nagalilit, locals are employed in the nearby hi-tech industrial area, oil palm plantations, or as shop assistants. Many households earn below the minimum wage, compelling residents to take on multiple jobs for financial stability. Data was systematically collected through questionnaires focusing on household demographics, socio-economic conditions, and lifestyle patterns. The analysis offers valuable insights into the living conditions and challenges these communities face, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research revealed income disparities and variations in living standards between sub-districts, underscoring the socio-economic impact of the pandemic. It further examined how variables such as age, income, employment status, and education correlate with financial strain, mental health issues, and disruptions to daily life. Findings demonstrate significant relationships between socioeconomic factors and the pandemic's effects, emphasizing the need for targeted measures to alleviate poverty, improve education, and enhance residents’ overall quality of life while addressing financial and mental health challenges

Empowering Communities to Reduce Dependence on Unlicensed Mining and Minimize Corporate Losses: A Case Study of PTBA in December 2023

This study aims to analyze the impact of community empowerment programs on reducing dependence on unlicensed mining and to measure the potential losses incurred by PTBA due to these activities. The time sample used in this research is December 2023. A quantitative approach is used to calculate the income earned by the community from six empowerment programs, including bamboo downstream processing, snakehead fish farming, reclamation plant cultivation, maggot farming, quail farming, and eel farming. The total income generated by these programs for 93 beneficiaries reached USD 13,238.22 per month, with an average income per program ranging from USD 153.70 to USD 244.39, which remains below the regional minimum wage (UMR) of Muara Enim Regency, set at USD 233 per month. This income is compared to assess how competitive the alternative livelihoods provided by the empowerment programs are. In addition, this study calculates PTBA’s losses from unlicensed mining in the same month, based on the extraction of 0.175 million tons of coal, the market price of USD 58.28 per ton, and the lost royalties of 8%. The total financial loss reached USD 10.2 million, with USD 815,920 in lost royalties. The analysis underscores the importance of expanding and strengthening community empowerment programs to further reduce unlicensed mining activities, while also mitigating the financial and environmental impacts on the company.

Portuguese Households on a Tightrope: Income Vulnerability during the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Portuguese government implemented emergency fiscal measures to protect incomes. Despite these efforts, Portugal’s poverty rate increase in 2020 was the steepest among all European Union member states. The present article maintains that the prevailing labor market institutions limited the impact of the pandemic-related emergency measures. These institutions include social policies (such as low social benefits, minimum wages near the poverty line, and weak employment protection) as well as employment practices (such as precarious employment contracts and low wages). Established institutions increased households’ vulnerability to poverty and exacerbated the GDP/poverty nexus. JEL Classification: A120, B520, I380, N340.

ANALISIS PENGARUH IPM, UPAH MINIMUM, TPT DAN BANTUAN SOSIAL TERHADAP TINGKAT KEMISKINAN DI PROVINSI JAWA TIMUR TAHUN 2017-2022

Poverty is a social problem that arises in economic development and can cause other problems. Therefore, there is a need for solutions to overcome the problem of poverty. This study aims to determine the role of Human Development Index (HDI), Open Unemployment Rate, minimum wage and social assistance spending on poverty rate in East Java. The sample of this study is 34 regencies and cities in East Java Province during 2017-2022. In this study, only 34 districts and cities were used because there were two cities that did not have the realization of social assistance spending. The data used in this study is secondary data sourced from BPS and DJPK of the Ministry of Finance. The method used is panel data regression with FEM (Fixed Effect Model). The results of this study show that each HDI has a significant negative effect and TPT has a significant positive effect on the poverty rate in East Java Province in 2017-2022. Meanwhile, the Minimum Wage and Social Assistance respectively have no significant effect on the poverty rate in East Java Province in 2017-2022.

What is the Role of Minimum Wages in Addressing Precarious Employment in the Informal and Formal Sectors? Findings from a Systematic Review.

This article presents synthesized evidence from 16 studies examining initiatives with potential to mitigate workers' exposure to precarious employment through the adoption of minimum wage policies. All studies were set in low-income countries and focused on both formal and informal workers. A systematic review of evaluated initiatives addressing precarious employment identified the evidence. We consider minimum wage policies as initiatives that could address precarious employment because of the central role of minimum wages in establishing employment terms for workers in precarious situations. We include initiatives aimed at formal and informal workers, given that precarious employment can exist in both sectors, that these workers share concerns regarding income and would benefit from minimum wage policies. The findings imply that minimum wage policies could increase precariously employed workers' financial compensation, although with some differences and with little or no effect on employment security. It is not feasible to extend these conclusions beyond low-income economies due to differences with high-income economies in how the mechanisms through which minimum wage policies could impact worker compensation and employment security. However, they should serve as a reminder for high-income economies, many of which experience expanding informal sectors, about the need for related research and policy.

ANALISIS PERAN PEMERINTAH DALAM PENGENDALIAN TINGKAT PENGANGGURAN TERBUKA DI JAWA TIMUR PASCA COVID-19

The post-COVID-19 open unemployment rate (TPT) tends to rise sharply. In this case, the role of the government needs to be focused on The government's role can be reflected through three main mechanisms to keep the open unemployment rate down mechanisms in keeping the TPT down, namely setting the minimum wage, stimulating economic growth, and population control. economic growth, and population control. This study aims to determine the impact of the government's role in controlling the open unemployment rate in East Java. open unemployment in East Java. This study uses secondary data in the form of panel data, with a time span of 2017-2022 and covering 38 districts/cities in East Java. districts/cities in East Java. The analysis method used is the panel data method. panel data method. The results show that the minimum wage contributes to increase in unemployment, economic growth can reduce unemployment, while population control also reduces unemployment rate. Therefore, the government needs to consider the positive and negative impacts of the three instruments to achieve an optimal effect.

ANALISIS PENGARUH UPAH MINIMUM DAN TINGKAT PENDIDIKAN TERHADAP PENYERAPAN TENAGA KERJA DI PULAU JAWA

Java island is the economic center with the largest population in Indonesia. So this causes the inequality that occurs in Indonesia to this day. Dense population growth without being accompanied by maximum labor absorption on the island of Java is the cause of employment problems in Indonesia. Many problems arise, for example poverty, unemployment,This research aims to determine and analyze the influence of minimum wages and education on labor absorption on the island of Java. This research also includes inflation and economic growth as a control variable. The analytical method used is a quantitative method using time series data (2012-2022) and cross section (six provinces on the island of Java) or what is called panel data with the selection of the best model, Random Effect Model (REM) and used regression analysis. This research shows that the minimum wage and level of education has a significant effect on labor absorption on the island of Java.

PENGARUH UPAH MINIMUM, TINGKAT PENDIDIKAN DAN USIA TERHADAP PENYERAPAN TENAGA KERJA DI JAWA TIMUR TAHUN 2017-2021

The objective of this research is to discuss and analyze the effect of minimum wage, education level and age on labor force absorption in 38 regencies and cities in East Java. A 2017-2021 data was examined using Fixed Effect Model. The results of the analysis indicate that Municipal Minimum Wage negatively and significantly influences the labor absorption in regencies and cities in East Java, that age positively and significantly influence the labor absorption in regencies and cities in East Java, and that education level negatively but insignificantly impacts the labor absorption in regencies and cities in East Java.

Cholecystectomy in children: indications, clinical, laboratory and histopathological findings and cost analysis.

The most common indication for cholecystectomy in children is cholelithiasis, and routine histopathological examination is performed on all gallbladder specimens. Currently, selective histopathological examination is suggested instead of routine examination due to the low frequency of gallbladder cancer in adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the indications, clinical, laboratory and histopathological findings of the cholecystectomy in children. We also questioned the contribution and cost-effectiveness of routine histopathological evaluation in diagnosis and treatment. A total of 114 children underwent cholecystectomy between the years 2008 and 2022. The clinical findings, laboratory, and imaging results of the patients and histopathological findings of the gallbladder specimens were evaluated retrospectively. Cholelithiasis were diagnosed in 71%, choledochal malformation in 15.8%, hydrops of gallbladder and/or biliary sludge in 12.3%, and hypoplasia of gallbladder in 0.9% of the patients. Histopathologically significant findings were observed in only 3 patients (2.6%); adenomyomatosis in 2 and angiodysplasia and pyloric metaplasia in 1. While the cost of a cholecystectomy and histopathologic examination combined amounted to 27.77% of the minimum wage in Türkiye in 2024, the histopathologic examination alone constitutes just 0.67% of the minimum wage and 2.4% of the operation fee. In children undergoing cholecystectomy, histopathological examination does not provide any significant contribution to the patient's diagnosis and follow-up management. In children, selective gallbladder histopathological examination might reduce health costs and save time for pathologists.

Quality of life after hospitalization for COVID-19

Objective: To analyze quality of life (QoL) and associated factors in individuals after hospitalization due to COVID-19. Method: Cross-sectional study of patients hospitalized for COVID-19. The WHOQOL-BREF instrument was used for QOL analysis. A multiple linear regression model was used to evaluate the QOL of the stakeholders. Results: The highest mean QOL was observed in the social relationships domain (14.97 ± 3.43), followed by the psychological (14.53 ± 2.07), environmental (14.20 ± 2.49) and physical domains (12.75 ± 2.10). For each additional year of age, there was an increase of 0.44 points in the physical domain, 0.06 in the social relationship domain and 0.49 in the environmental domain. Individuals earning up to 2 times the minimum wage had a reduction of 1.60 points in the environmental domain; retired or a pensioner had a reduction of 1.84 points in the physical domain score, 1.40 in the psychological domain score and 2.62 in the social domain score in the ICU had a negative impact of 1.52 points on the scores in the social relationship domain. Conclusions: After hospitalization for COVID-19, individuals presented a good perception of their QOL. Demographic, social and clinical aspects influenced the perception of QOL, which indicates the need for the adoption and implementation of public policies aimed at minimizing these differences.

The impact of minimum wage on automotive companies' performance

This paper aims to verify the relationship between minimum wage growth and the financial indicators of automotive companies. As a hi-tech sector, the automotive industry is usually not expected to be affected by minimum wage policies. The introduction of the minimum wage in Germany and the dynamic development of the minimum wage in Eastern European countries make it possible to assess this relationship. German, Czech, Polish, and Slovak automotive company data was obtained from the Orbis database. Panel regression models were applied to test for dependencies. The paper detects the association between the growth of the minimum wage and the increase in personnel cost, which is next to the associations with several financial indicators at the company level. The identified impact is specific to small and medium-sized companies.

Social conditions impact functional outcome in patients with hand osteoarthritis: the low-income hand osteoarthritis (LIHOA) cohort

BackgroundHand osteoarthritis (HOA) is a highly prevalent disease that may be impacted by social inequalities. Few studies in HOA are from underdeveloped regions. We intend to contribute to fill this gap presenting clinical characteristics of our low-income HOA cohort (LIHOA).MethodsData from 119 patients with a HOA diagnosis fulfilling ACR criteria seen between August 2019 and May 2023 in Fortaleza/Brazil. Evaluations included pain (VAS, visual analogue scale), X-ray (KL, Kellgren-Lawrence), grip and pinch strength (KgF), Cochin hand functional scale (CHFS), FIHOA, and SF-12 scores. Social data included monthly (<1, 1≥/<3, ≥3 MW) minimum wage earnings, occupation, and literacy [</≥ 9 school-years (SY)].Results107 out of the 119 patients were included. Mean age was 61.9 (±10.3) years with 94 (92%) women. Systemic arterial hypertension (48%), metabolic syndrome (42.8%), dyslipidemia (28.4%), and obesity (25%) were the most common comorbidities. Mean disease duration was 7.5 ± 7.1 years. Median VAS values at rest and activity were 3 (3–5) and 8 (5–9), respectively (p < 0.001). Fifty-seven (56.4%) patients had ≥4 symptomatic joints with a median of 4 (2–8) painful joints at activity. The 2nd distal interphalangeal (IF), joint was the most symptomatic (21; 23.3%) and most had >4 IF nodes. OA in other joints: 37 (36.2%) spine, 28 (29.4%) knee, 21 (20.5%) bunions. Functional impairment was mild [8 (5–14) median FIHOA]. Median serum CRP was 0.2 mg/dL (0.1–0.4) with 14 (20%) patients above reference value. Mean total KL score was 27.6 ± 13.6 with 21 (23%), 38 (41.7%), and 33 (36.2%) KL2, KL3, and KL4, respectively; 51 (54.8%) and 42 (45.2%) patients declared </≥3 MW earnings, respectively. Most declared >9SY including 37.2% with a university degree. Individuals earning <3 MW had lower pinch (p < 0.004) and grip strength (p < 0.01), and higher FIHOA scores (p < 0.007), as compared to ≥3 MW earning group. Literacy or occupation did not impact outcome. SYSADOA were used by 13 (12.7%), 6 used oral and 3 topical anti-inflammatory drugs and 2 used 5 mg/d prednisone.ConclusionClinical characteristics in our LIHOA cohort mirror those reported in affluent regions. Socioeconomic disparities influenced functional outcome in LIHOA cohort.