Question
A case study in this chapter discusses the national minimum wage. a) Suppose the minimum wage is above the equilibrium wage in the market for
A case study in this chapter discusses the national minimum wage.
a)
Suppose the minimum wage is above the equilibrium wage in the market for unskilled
labour. Using a supply-and-demand diagram of the market for unskilled labour, show the
market wage, the number of workers who are employed and the number of workers who are
unemployed. Also show the total wage payments to unskilled workers.
b)
Now suppose that the Fair Work Commission proposes an increase in the minimum wage.
What effect would this increase have on employment? Does the change in employment
depend on the elasticity of demand, the elasticity of supply, both elasticities or neither?
c)
What effect would this increase in the minimum wage have on unemployment? Does the
change in unemployment depend on the elasticity of demand, the elasticity of supply, both
elasticities or neither?
d)
If the demand for unskilled labour were inelastic, would the proposed increase in the
minimum wage raise or lower total wage payments to unskilled workers? Would your answer
change if the demand for unskilled labour were elastic?
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