Pay people what they are worth

The Fight for 15 — a workers’ movement with the goal of achieving a $15 minimum wage — is gaining momentum here in Saskatchewan.

At $10.96 per hour, Saskatchewan has the lowest minimum wage in Canada. Some might argue that attracts business. To that I say, shame.

Why? Firstly, not only do we have the lowest minimum wage in Canada, we also have the second highest unemployment rate in Canada. Evidently, a low minimum wage does not help job growth.

Secondly, and more importantly, why would Saskatchewan want to be known for paying workers the lowest possible wage in order to appease business, but not demonstrate care for the workers — those who actually create the profits that businesses value?

The fact is, if a business model relies on poverty wages, then that is not a sustainable business plan.

Why is it that labour is the only cost of doing business that people say they should be able to pay less than what it’s worth?

If you were starting a transportation company and the only way it would work was if gas was 55 cents per litre, people would tell you it wasn’t going to work. You also wouldn’t expect to be able to pay less just because it needed to be that way for your business plan to succeed. The same goes for employees. Pay them what they’re worth — a living wage — and that’s at least $15 an hour.

Lois Camacho, Saskatoon