The state minimum wage last was increased in 1993. A study released last year by the Legislative Reference Bureau identified 583 employees of companies holding state contracts that were being paid below the living wage included in Takumi's bill. The fiscal impact would be fairly minimal. There has to be some dignity in providing for your family.
Nobody wants that.
Trade group Retail Merchants of Hawaii is surveying its 200 members to see how they think any rise in wages will impact their businesses, association executive director Carol Pregill says. While few, if any, retailers pay employees the minimum wage, Pregill says any hike in the minimum will lead to corresponding increases in other salaries. An increase also may lead to fewer jobs being created, as companies that are now starting to expand because of the improving economy are forced to delay or cancel additional hiring because of increased wage costs. We suspect that it will. The Hawaii Attractions Association says raising the minimum wage affects even businesses that do not pay the minimum, since it raises the costs of doing business, association President Lori Lum says.