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Begin New Search Topic Minimum Wage Political Geography North America

1. Evidence of the Unintended Labor Scheduling Implications of the Minimum Wage

Author:
Qiuping Yu, Shawn Mankad, and Masha Shunko
Publication Date:
06-2022
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
The Cato Institute
Abstract:
The effect of the minimum wage has been an important topic of debate for decades. For many years, low‐​wage laborers, especially in the food service and retail sectors in the United States, have been advocating an increase in the minimum wage to $15. Intending to increase worker welfare, many states (e.g., California and New York) and municipalities (San Francisco, Seattle, and New York City) have responded by raising their minimum wages.
Topic:
Labor Issues, Economic Policy, and Minimum Wage
Political Geography:
North America and United States of America

2. Where Do Profits and Jobs Come From? Employment and Distribution in the US Economy

Author:
Lance Taylor and Özlem Ömer
Publication Date:
04-2018
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET)
Abstract:
“Meso” level analysis of 16 producing sectors sheds light on broad forces shaping growth of employment and profits. In a growth decomposition from 1990 through 2016, employment responds positively to output increases and negatively to rising productivity. The macro profit share responds positively to sectoral productivity and demand shifts, and negatively to real wage increases. The decomposition weights suggest that wage repression raises profits in business services, education and health, wholesale and retail trade, and parts of manufacturing. Observed profit growth was robust in manufacturing, trade, finance and insurance, and information. The latter two (and wholesale trade) benefitted from favorable demand shifts. However, they generate less than a quarter of total profits. Owners of real estate receive more than a quarter but their share is not increasing. Growth of the remaining one-half of profits has been due to demand shifts and productivity growth which exceeded real wage increases. Market power matters in all sectors. The strongest effects may act against employment and real wages in labor markets.
Topic:
Inequality, Income Inequality, Economy, Monopoly, Rent, Minimum Wage, and Wealth
Political Geography:
North America and United States of America