--%>

Problem on Minimum Wage

Sec. A:The Bureau of Labor Statistics of a small state has asked you to analyze a minimum wage policy to support unskilled workers in the State’s local economy, which is still suffering from the effects of the recession.  Based on information that you’ve gathered, where “P” represents the hourly wage of unskilled workers, you’ve estimated that the demand for unskilled labor (QD) across the State is as follows:

QD = 1,000,000 – 40,000 P
Unskilled labor (QS) = -200,000 + 200,000 P

Answer the following questions about this competitive market for unskilled labor. In both cases, show your work.

1. A local legislator is concerned about the relatively low earnings of unskilled workers, and proposes a minimum hourly wage of $6.00.  Showing your work, explain how this would effect:

a. The number of unskilled workers employed
b. The number of unskilled workers who would be unemployed

2. Explain both the efficiency and equity consequences of the $6.00 minimum wage policy for unskilled workers.  Include charts supporting your answer.

Sec. B: Answer each of the questions below and illustrate your answers using supply and demand diagrams.In answering, assume that the market is initially in equilibrium, and that there is no minimum wage. Do not use the supply and demand equations in Section A Remember that in a labor market, demand depends on the behavior if potential employers, and supply depends on the decisions of potential workers.

1. The State experiences a significant immigration of unskilled workers.

2. Technological change makes it possible for computers to do at a relatively low cost a significant amount of work previously done by unskilled workers.

3. The system of adult education in the State provides previously unskilled workers with skills enabling them to compete for relatively high paying, skilled jobs.

   Related Questions in Microeconomics

  • Q : High fashion at low prices-too good a

    The influence of high street chains selling very limited editions of designer clothes at much below equilibrium prices.

  • Q : Wage Discrimination problem Both level

    Both level of the employment by a firm and the average rate of monopsonistic exploitation of labor are raised when a firm is capable to: (1) Outsource by hiring low productive workers in the foreign countries. (2) Replace the workers with automation by an industrial r

  • Q : Constant cost industry in competitive

    When brick-making is a constant cost industry, during the long run this firm is probable to experience: (i) a severe shrinking of economic profit to zero. (ii) a decline in the price of bricks to approximately eight cents apiece. (iii) increased compe

  • Q : Natural barrier to entry in monopolizes

    The Diamante Corporation is vast and owns the world’s merely red diamond mine. Thus diamante monopolizes the market for red diamonds, and this is protected by competition by a: (1) regulatory barrier to entry. (2) strategic barrier to entry. (3) natural barrier

  • Q : Product markets and labor markets

    Relative to firms which are price takers in both the product markets and labor markets, firms through market power in both the product markets and labor markets tend to. (1) Hire fewer workers and pay them less. (2) Rely more heavily on the screening and signaling thr

  • Q : Problem regarding Labor Union Goals The

    The union goal of maximum employment would make most of the union members: (1) Happy as unemployment rates would be zero. (2) Happy since of the big union membership. (3) Unhappy as only a very low wage maximizes employment. (4) Unhappy as they don’t understand

  • Q : Economic profit at average total cost

    When a monopolist maximizes profit with producing where average total cost is on its minimum, this: (w) should generate an economic profit. (x) should sell at a price equal to marginal cost. (y) will incur an economic loss. (z) will p

  • Q : Problem onto public sector The word “

    The word “public sector” signifies to: (1) Stockholders and households. (2) Investors and Consumers. (3) Households and investors. (4) Democratic voting systems. (5) All actions of government. Hey frien

  • Q : Competitive Prices for selling This

    This purely-competitive producer’s generic bricks presently sell for: (i) $60 per thousand. (ii) $70 per thousand. (iii) $80 per thousand. (iv) $90 per thousand. (v) $100 per thousand.

    Q : Problem on demand curve shifting right

    Can someone help me in finding out the right answer from the given options. Soybean farming is very much competitive, and United States is the major producer. The soybean mold carried on kangaroo rat fur devastates this year’s crop. This blight is eventually lea