If a business can't afford to pay staff a living wage then perhaps the business shouldn't be there in the first place.
Not that old chestnut. You think a local village hairdressers or something, running on just about enough turnover to clear the bills and pay the owner a wage, and a few stylists earning minimum wage, isn't viable and should just close? Then there is no hairdresser for the people of the locality, and all these businesses supposedly just waiting in the wings to take their place? Well they aren't going to be able to charge the locals enough to cover a living wage either, because people won't pay it. So bye bye hairdressers.
The vote has yet to take place. Will be most interesting for the other wealthiest countries in the world to see if this works should there be a 'yes' vote.
Not that old chestnut. You think a local village hairdressers or something, running on just about enough turnover to clear the bills and pay the owner a wage, and a few stylists earning minimum wage, isn't viable and should just close? Then there is no hairdresser for the people of the locality, and all these businesses supposedly just waiting in the wings to take their place? Well they aren't going to be able to charge the locals enough to cover a living wage either, because people won't pay it. So bye bye hairdressers.
Ah well if it is an essential private service then why not do what has been done with public ones have it run by unpaid volunteers?
Bit of workfare for those made redundant as well eh?
I've been to Switzerland and the cost of living is pretty high, unless there is a two tier system where tourists pay more than locals (and to keep costs down we ate at the supermarket cafes during the day).
If you're going to make such a dramatic post and assume everyone else is too stupid to have actually read an article, you may as well check your facts.
Australia's minimum wage works out at about £9 per hour at today's exchange rate - so about a third more than ours. their cost of living is a lot higher there as well. If the UK was to put its minimum wage up to a similar level then I suspect our cost of living would shoot up as well, so any benefit in higher wages would be eradicated by higher living costs.
I do support the minimum wage, I just think it needs to be set at a realistic level, which it is at the moment. The minimum wage is a little low in London, but I guess there are other risks involved if you have a higher minimum wage in one area when compared to the rest of the country.
Have you tried buying a pint in Geneva recently? It just reflect their cost of living.
We could have a £15 nmw here if people were prepared to pay the higher prices and rents.
I spent some time in Biel, years ago, when it was around 2.5 CHF to the £. It was a very expensive place then. Now it must be worse, as the CHF is around 1.4 to the £.
Comments
Not that old chestnut. You think a local village hairdressers or something, running on just about enough turnover to clear the bills and pay the owner a wage, and a few stylists earning minimum wage, isn't viable and should just close? Then there is no hairdresser for the people of the locality, and all these businesses supposedly just waiting in the wings to take their place? Well they aren't going to be able to charge the locals enough to cover a living wage either, because people won't pay it. So bye bye hairdressers.
Maybe they could if they employed fewer people.
That is what will naturally have to happen.
It looks high - but the cost of living in Switzerland is high.
Bad luck.:)
It is 22 Swiss Francs which is equal to about $25; £15
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27459178
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/25/us-swiss-minimum-wage-idUSBREA1O1AI20140225
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25415501
The vote has yet to take place. Will be most interesting for the other wealthiest countries in the world to see if this works should there be a 'yes' vote.
Now, if those who cry about the minimum wage put the same amount of energy into their education...
Ah well if it is an essential private service then why not do what has been done with public ones have it run by unpaid volunteers?
Bit of workfare for those made redundant as well eh?
I've been to Switzerland and the cost of living is pretty high, unless there is a two tier system where tourists pay more than locals (and to keep costs down we ate at the supermarket cafes during the day).
You have figures co-relating qualification levels irrevocably to salary? Please share.
If you're going to make such a dramatic post and assume everyone else is too stupid to have actually read an article, you may as well check your facts.
They're not stupid.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/08/19/the-u-s-has-a-7-25-minimum-wage-australias-is-16-88/
Australia's minimum wage works out at about £9 per hour at today's exchange rate - so about a third more than ours. their cost of living is a lot higher there as well. If the UK was to put its minimum wage up to a similar level then I suspect our cost of living would shoot up as well, so any benefit in higher wages would be eradicated by higher living costs.
I do support the minimum wage, I just think it needs to be set at a realistic level, which it is at the moment. The minimum wage is a little low in London, but I guess there are other risks involved if you have a higher minimum wage in one area when compared to the rest of the country.
It's possible many voted against fearing a drift downwards towards a minimum in industries where more is already paid.
Offset that against allowing a proportion of the populace to struggle with the country's high prices because they are paid somewhat less.
I spent some time in Biel, years ago, when it was around 2.5 CHF to the £. It was a very expensive place then. Now it must be worse, as the CHF is around 1.4 to the £.