--%>

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 : Long run adjustments The resources of a

    The resources of a firm in the long run which has consistently suffered economic losses are probably to: (i) move into a more profitable industry. (ii) share losses equal to the firm’s fixed costs. (iii) be merged into a firm along with better m

  • Q : Accountability process by Handel

    Elucidate what the following statement by handel means and give an argument to either support or  oppose the contention. Things might be exist independently of our accounts, however they have no human existence  until the

  • Q : Total variable cost while maximizes

    Total cost when such firm maximizes economic profits would be: (w) $72,000 per period. (x) $80,000 per period. (y) $96,000 per period. (z) $100,000 per period.

    Q : Find absolute value of the price

    Two thousand four hundred students subscribed to cable TV services while they enrolled like freshmen. 800 of them students dropped the service while the price of cable rose by $25 to $35 per month. The absolute value of the price elasticity of demand

  • Q : Stable Competitive Economy Into a

    Into a stable competitive economy without innovation, transaction, or uncertainty costs, all accounting profits would be: (w) pure economic profits. (x) payments required to secure owner-provided resources. (y) pure e

  • Q : Minimum average costs Prohibition

    Prohibition Corporation could attain minimum average costs for its St. Valentine’s Day software when this produced: (1) 4 million copies. (2) 6 million copies. (3) 8 million copies. (4) 10 million copies. (5) 12 million copies.

    Q : Problem on Substitution Market demand

    Market demand curve for the Hormel’s canned Spam [that is, a processed pork product which is an inferior good for most of the people], would shift rightward as the effect of major increases in: (i) Publicity regarding high correlations among hea

  • Q : Arc elasticity of demand between two

    The arc elasticity of demand Ajax for labor in between point a and point b is about: (i) 0.25. (ii) 0.50. (iii) 0.75. (iv) one. (v) two.

    Q : Fixed input in short run I have a

    I have a problem in economics on fixed input in short run. Please help me in the following question. Which of the given below is most likely to be the fixed input in short run for General Motors? (i) An assembly line worker. (ii) Paint for cars. (iii)

  • Q : Problem on change in preferences Can

    Can someone help me in finding out the right answer from the given options. Tim liked to snack on slim jims on fishing; however his friend Earl for all time brought beef jerky. Tom slowly developed a taste for jerky and at present buys it more frequently than slim jim