Unlike capital equipment a business doesn’t pay for the cost of replacing labor as it ages. The cost in the US of raising a child is about $250,000 or about $3

Unlike capital equipment a business doesn’t pay for the cost of replacing labor as it ages. The cost in the US of raising a child is about $250,000 or about $3 per hour over 40 years. Businesses expect a pool of qualified and educated labor but don’t pay for childcare expenses. Employees are expected to have reliable transportation to get to the employers place of business but they do not cover transportation expenses. The cost of $400 a month for reliable transportation works out to $2.50 per hour. Employees are typically required to have work appropriate clothing. In the US this cost has often been pushed to employees. In some cases even tool costs have been pushed to employees. Employees have wear and tear on joints due to repetitive movements which will eventually have to be treated. Machines need maintenance and businesses are expected to pay the costs but with labor that is pushed back to the employee. The economics of minimum wage only work short term for people who are young, healthy and with no children where experience gained will lead to a higher paying job in the near future.