Minimum wage jobs

In many countries, an unemployed person is eligible to receive an unemployment benefit for a certain period, e.g. 12 or 18 months. After that, the person is eligible to receive a welfare payment at a lower level.

The unemployment and welfare benefit provides a certain level of minimum income. If a private sector job pays less, the person can decline and receive the state benefit.

Most countries also have a minimum wage policy. All jobs have to pay at least the minimum wage.

This social system is fair. It ensures that everyone can get a job or a benefit that can provide an income to meet the living expenses.

Unemployment and welfare benefits can be abused. People can be lazy. An alternative is to ensure that every person is allowed to get a job, provided by the state, at a minimum wage level. They have to work to receive this payment. There are many useful public services that the state can provide to the people, such as taking care of children, elderly, environment or safety.

These public services are flexible. If there are more unemployment (due to a recession), more public service jobs can be created. When the economy recovers, these services can be reduced.

If people are employed, they do not have to resort to crime or theft to make a living. They have the dignity. The society is more humane.

Tan Kin Lian