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I'm only just learning about the UK's age-dependent minimum wage [1] Is there any explanation for why such a system is used? Certainly there's plenty of financi

I'm only just learning about the UK's age-dependent minimum wage [1] Is there any explanation for why such a system is used? Certainly there's plenty of financially-independent under-25s who are paid less merely because of their age, which doesn't really seem appropriate. Do other countries in Europe follow similar minimum wage schemes? EDIT: I found a paper [2] from the Netherlands (who also use an age-dependent minimum wage) suggesting that such a system can increase job termination rates close to employees birthdays. [1]: https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates [2]: http://ftp.iza.org/dp9528.pdf http://ftp.iza.org/dp9528.pdf

rchaud 7y ago
If the wage was the same for an 18yo with no experience vs. a 25yo who doesn't need much handholding, nobody would hire the 18yo. In most cases, older workers will also have greater financial responsibilities than a teen, so a higher wage makes sense.
- yung_donair 7y ago
  > nobody would hire the 18yo Here in Canada, the provincial minimum wage is consistent regardless of age and yet I still see plenty of employed high school students. I also don't think that its fair to make policy-affecting assumptions regarding peoples financial responsibilities based on their age alone. I know plenty of independent 20 year olds who have significant financial responsibilities as well as 25 year olds who are voluntarily financially dependent on their parents etc. In this situation I believe an age-dependent minimum wage can actually increase inequality by determining wages based on an arbitrary metric such as age.
  - slavik81 7y ago
    According to StatCan[1], the unemployment rate for people aged 15-24 is more than double that of people over 25. Speaking for myself, it was brutally difficult to find my first job. I was unemployed for months. Alberta is introducing a lower minimum wage for ages 16–18. I don't particularly like having a minimum wage that discriminates based on age, but we already have a bunch of special employment laws for minors. I actually lost my job as a concessions cashier to one of those restrictions when I was 17. 1: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1410032701 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=141003...
- inlined 7y ago
  Yet also a clear sign of ageism. I used to work in my college book store. I was blown away to find out “adults” were paid vastly differently than students. I also learned that age is only a protected class in CA if you’re over 40. https://www.worklawyers.com/age-discrimination-california/ https://www.worklawyers.com/age-discrimination-california/

rchaud 7y ago

If the wage was the same for an 18yo with no experience vs. a 25yo who doesn't need much handholding, nobody would hire the 18yo. In most cases, older workers will also have greater financial responsibilities than a teen, so a higher wage makes sense.

yung_donair 7y ago
> nobody would hire the 18yo Here in Canada, the provincial minimum wage is consistent regardless of age and yet I still see plenty of employed high school students. I also don't think that its fair to make policy-affecting assumptions regarding peoples financial responsibilities based on their age alone. I know plenty of independent 20 year olds who have significant financial responsibilities as well as 25 year olds who are voluntarily financially dependent on their parents etc. In this situation I believe an age-dependent minimum wage can actually increase inequality by determining wages based on an arbitrary metric such as age.
- slavik81 7y ago
  According to StatCan[1], the unemployment rate for people aged 15-24 is more than double that of people over 25. Speaking for myself, it was brutally difficult to find my first job. I was unemployed for months. Alberta is introducing a lower minimum wage for ages 16–18. I don't particularly like having a minimum wage that discriminates based on age, but we already have a bunch of special employment laws for minors. I actually lost my job as a concessions cashier to one of those restrictions when I was 17. 1: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1410032701 https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=141003...
inlined 7y ago
Yet also a clear sign of ageism. I used to work in my college book store. I was blown away to find out “adults” were paid vastly differently than students. I also learned that age is only a protected class in CA if you’re over 40. https://www.worklawyers.com/age-discrimination-california/ https://www.worklawyers.com/age-discrimination-california/