Raising the minimum wage on Sunday, which will rise to $ 14.25 in Quebec, will help some workers maintain their purchasing power, but, over the years, fewer of them will receive this wage, maintained. by Luc Godbout, holding Chair of Research in Taxation and Public Finance at Sherbrooke University.
In 2021, 4.8% of total employment will be paid by the minimum wage, representing approximately 205,000 people. This is the lowest rate in the past 15 years explanation by Luc Godbout.
And the lack of labor is responsible for this. Employers offer better wages to attract peoplehe said.
And the pandemic is primarily responsible for this, said the Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Cohesion, Jean Boulet. Many employers have had to raise the wages they pay their employees […] to keep them or to attract others.
But, even as the number of jobs drops to the minimum wage, we must not forget that many jobs are rotating at this hourly rate. Nearly 420,000 people hold jobs between the current minimum wage of $ 13.50 and $ 16.88, Luc Godbout underlined.
An increase that meets needs
A 75-cent increase in the minimum wage alone remains insufficient to counter inflation in 2022, which stands at 4.65%, Luc Godbout said.
But, with additional and temporary measures put in place by governments to consider increasing the cost of living, workers have retained their purchasing power.
” This year, compared to 2021, on average, people [selon leur situation] have more than their disposable income. “
For singles, another 7% is available on their annual income. For couples with or without children, it is between 5 and 9%.
$ 15/hour in Quebec, not right now
From 2018, the goal is to maintain the minimum wage at 50% of the average wage. An interesting proposal allows to ensure that the standard wage is the machine of the minimum wage explanation by Luc Godbout.
Quebec is slowly going, as the three provinces have already raised their salaries to $ 15, Jean Boulet explained in an announcement last Friday. Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia have already raised the minimum wage.
The approach to Quebec is good, according to Luc Godbout. He argues that it is important to look at other factors such as cost of living and government benefits.
The minimum wage in Ontario is higher than here, but basic needs are less covered [là-bas] than here. kasi [en Ontario] higher cost of living and fewer government benefits.
As for Quebec, the minimum hourly wage should reach $ 15 by May 2023, according to the minister.
With information from the interview presented at Zone Economie with Gérald Fillion
Source: Radio-Canada
