MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IS THE KEY TO RISING WAGES

Independent Women's Forum Explains That Economic Growth, Not More Restrictive Minimum Wage Laws — or Strikes –, Is Real Key to Progress for Workers


(WASHINGTON D.C.) – The labor movement has organized walk-outs of workers at fast food restaurants throughout the country in order to protest low-wages, although it is unclear how many workers will participate in these strikes.  This organized walk out comes amid new calls for raising the federal minimum wage.  IWF’s Executive Director Sabrina Schaeffer released the following statement:

"Americans want low-wage workers to be treated fairly and have the opportunity to earn more.  But these strikes and a higher mandatory minimum wage won’t help low-wage workers’ prospects, and in fact, could backfire on those workers by reducing employment opportunities.

"People often assume that employers have huge profit margins and could easily pay more but don’t because they are mean-spirited.  That’s just not the case.  Most franchises operate on very small margins.  That’s why we have recently seen fast food restaurants react to new health care mandates by reducing their workforce and cutting back workers hours.

"Workers’ interests are not served by laws and regulations that make it impossible for businesses to survive.  That’s why the real key to improving workers’ prospects is making it easier for businesses to grow and create jobs—so that employers are able to pay more and have to compete for workers through higher wages and better benefits.”

To learn more about the minimum wage, check out IWF's policy focus: Minimum Wage.

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Independent Women's Forum is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) research and educational institution dedicated to expanding the conservative coalition, both by increasing the number of women who understand and value the benefits of limited government, personal liberty, and free markets, and by countering those who seek to ever expand government in the name of protecting women. 

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