There is much discussion about the minimum wage and ‘livable’ wage. Discuss your view of this topic in the context of ethics and justice and fairness.

The topic of minimum wage and livable wage is a complex issue that raises ethical questions about justice and fairness. From an ethical perspective, the idea that a person working full-time should not be living in poverty is a fundamental principle of justice and fairness. It is unjust for a person to work hard, yet still not be able to afford basic necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare.

One principle that relates to this issue is the concept of distributive justice. This principle holds that resources should be distributed in a way that is fair and equitable to all members of society. This would suggest that a minimum wage that is below a livable wage is unjust, as it does not provide workers with the means to meet their basic needs.

Another principle that relates to this issue is the concept of social contract theory. Social contract theory holds that society is formed by a mutual agreement among its members to give up certain rights in exchange for protection and security provided by the state. In this context, it could be argued that individuals have a moral responsibility to ensure that all members of society have the means to meet their basic needs. This would suggest that a minimum wage that is below a livable wage is unfair and a violation of the social contract.

In the context of the fast food industry, the article “Justice and Fairness – Wages in the Fast Food Industry” highlights the issue of low wages and poor working conditions in this sector. The article points out that fast food workers are disproportionately represented among low-wage workers and that they often do not earn enough to support themselves and their families. This highlights the need for an increase in the minimum wage to ensure that workers in this industry can earn a livable wage.

In conclusion, from an ethical perspective, the idea that a person working full-time should not be living in poverty is a fundamental principle of justice and fairness. Therefore, it is unjust for a person to work hard, yet still not be able to afford basic necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare. This would suggest that a minimum wage that is below a livable wage is unjust, and there is a moral and ethical responsibility of the state to ensure that all its citizens have the means to meet their basic needs.