Minimum wage in Alberta increased by a dollar this month. It has become the subject of much discussion lately.
“We know that the purpose of minimum wage is to decrease the effects of poverty and from a business community everyone wants to see us have a stronger position with less poverty but are concerned if these measures will create solutions,” says Karla Prych, executive director of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce.
A number of their members expressed concern about the minimum wage increase. The increase in cost would be passed forward to their customers.
“There is a concern that this will negatively impact … the number of people entering the job force at entry level positions,” says Prych.
Suneet Kharey is a post-secondary student at the university with three, part-time jobs. She feels that the increase will help students like herself make the required money to pay for necessities.
ADVERTISEMENT
“People who work part time and jobs that are actually getting the wage increase are the individuals who need the money the most,” says Kharey.
Prych believes young people or people without experience may not be as likely to get a job. Employers will have to pay more than they already are causing a decrease in the need for more employees.
“Bigger businesses will not be as affected in the same way because most of them are paying above minimum wage,” says Prych.
John Pyska, owner of Big Johns Books, says that if the increase happens he will not be able to keep both of his employees. Making that call will be one of the hardest decisions he will have to make.
The NDP plans to increase the wage to $15 an hour by 2018.
