The Impact of the Minimum Wage: Policy Lifts Wages, Maintains Floor For Low-Wage Labor Market

Publication Date: June 2000

Publisher: Economic Policy Institute

Author(s): Schmitt Bernstein

Research Area: Economics; Labor

Type: Brief

Abstract:

Welfare reform has focused a great deal of attention on the issue of low-wage work. Even with the low unemployment rates that have prevailed since the late 1990's, the U.S. economy continues to create low-wage jobs, and even some families that work a substantial number of hours each year are still having difficulty making ends meet.

Increasing the federal minimum wage in one potential policy option for addressing the difficulties these families face.