The 1996 welfare legislation was intended to move families from welfare to work. Many of the adults in such families have limited education and work skills and are likely to end up in minimum wage jobs. An increase in the minimum wage is essential to helping such families move beyond poverty. In fact, the U.S. has the lowest unemployment rate in 24 years. Teen employment data provide a more sensitive measure of how a minimum wage increase affects jobs.
Many teens work at minimum wage jobs.
If a minimum wage increase specifically causes loss of low-wage jobs, this should be reflected in increased teen unemployment rates. BLS data show that, over the period from September 1996 through January 1998, the teen unemployment rate dropped while the number of employed teens rose from 6 to 7 million. An increase in the minimum wage will improve the quality of life for millions of U.S. workers and their families. FCNL believes that all persons are equally deserving of a life with dignity and the basic necessities for human growth and development. To this end, we believe that jobs that pay a living wage should be available for everyone.