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Minimum Wage and Unemployment

88.4 Minimum Wage and Unemployment

Whereas

The national unemployment figure as of August 1987 was quoted as being at 8.9 percent; and,

Whereas

Welfare recipients may be reluctant to accept casual or longer employment at the minimum wage and have their benefits interrupted; and,

Whereas

The cost of living price index indicates that goods and services purchased for $100.00 in 1981 had risen to a cost of $132.00 at the end of 1986, making the minimum wage inadequate for purchasing food, shelter, and other living requirements; therefore be it,

RESOLVED

That The National Council of Women of Canada request the Government of Canada to exercise its influence with the Provincial and Territorial Governments to:

  1. Increase the minimum wage to a level of at least $6.00/hr whereby it will enable employees to cope with the current cost of living;
  2. Increase the Earnings Exemption relative to Welfare Benefits to encourage the unemployed to accept employment when available and thus establish a record of work for future references.