Is the Minimum Wage in Your Country Enough?

[mindrust]

It is never enough. The fact is, no salary is enough. I don't care if it is a million a month. If you are working for somebody else, you are doing it wrong. I would rather make $1k/month but own my own business instead of wage slaving under somebody else. That's the biggest problem many people have. They think a bigger fatter salary will solve their problems. It won't. Unless they learn how to start their own business and manage their own munney, they will always be in trouble financially.

[LGD2Business]

When you work on the minimum wage, you need to know the limits! The minimum wage is survival, nothing else.
So when you have two people on minimum wage, you stop paying rent in Istanbul, in your case, and you commute, or you start living in a really cheap one-bedroom apartment, shitty neighborhood, shitty space, but that's what minimum wage means.

Raising the minimum wage has never helped anyone, it has just raised the poverty line along with the costs and ended back to square zero.

We know that raising the minimum wage triggers inflation. However, the real problem is that even if 2 people work for the minimum wage, they can barely make ends meet. And when you add the incredibly high rents to that, they can barely get by on just bread every day.

In the past, minimum wage workers didn't earn less than the hunger threshold. They were still below the poverty line, but a household of 2 could get by more or less on minimum wage. Over the past 6-7 years, this situation has changed and the gap continues to widen every year. While the hunger and poverty thresholds are rising faster, the minimum wage is being eroded by inflation.

In my country, the minimum wage is about $360. Now compare that to your numbers and let me ask you one question: why are you complaining?

Is the economy really to blame here? Could it be low skills? Because there are certainly people in your country who earn more. Why? Because they didn't sit around waiting for the minimum wage to be raised, but rather improved their professional skills and climbed the career ladder.

I've explained exactly what we're complaining about. The pay you're getting isn't even enough to cover your rent. You're working long hours and earning less than the poverty line. Don't you think that's a problem?

%50 of the country's workforce earns the minimum wage. In EU countries, that figure is around %5-10. Are you calling half the country low skills? If that's how you see it, then there's nothing to discuss with you anyway.

[Royal Cap]

The situation in our country is actually very difficult. It is now really impossible to live in a big city for a month on the minimum wage. A major part of a garment worker's salary goes to buying daily necessities. Then when house rent and other household necessities are added, the pockets are empty before the end of the month.  The situation is such that many people have to borrow money in the last week of the month to make ends meet, the main reason for which is rampant inflation. In fact increasing the minimum wage alone will not solve this problem. If the market price is not under control, even if the salary is doubled, people will not get relief.

[Bushdark]

The minimum wage normally indicates the lowest amount a person should be paid, but due to the effects of the economic crisis, the minimum wage has now become the norm. People either work for the minimum wage or earn a salary just slightly above it.

What is the situation like in your country? Are minimum wages sufficient? In my country, the minimum wage is currently even below the poverty line. The minimum wage is only 28.000 TL which is equivalent to about $600. However the poverty line is 36.000 TL which is $775. It's impossible for someone earning the minimum wage to support themselves and their family.
They're already forced to spend a large portion of their salary just to pay rent. Under these conditions, a married couple can't make ends meet even if both partners work for the minimum wage. I'm not even talking about living a normal life. They struggle just to avoid going hungry. The economy is truly in very bad shape.

The minimum wage is the least amount a company can decide to pay a worker that don't have a certificate or university degree.
The minimum wage in each country is not equal to the amount each worker is collecting as salary. There are workers that collect 2x to 10x of the minimum wage which I don't see as the actual amount to be paid to worker. There are still people that are being paid the minimum wage because they don't have any degree that could have increased their salary to a reasonable one.
There are workers that are really suffering and they don't have the option than to work with the salary they are being paid.

[stompix]

When you work on the minimum wage, you need to know the limits! The minimum wage is survival, nothing else.
So when you have two people on minimum wage, you stop paying rent in Istanbul, in your case, and you commute, or you start living in a really cheap one-bedroom apartment, shitty neighborhood, shitty space, but that's what minimum wage means.

Raising the minimum wage has never helped anyone, it has just raised the poverty line along with the costs and ended back to square zero.

We know that raising the minimum wage triggers inflation. However, the real problem is that even if 2 people work for the minimum wage, they can barely make ends meet. And when you add the incredibly high rents to that, they can barely get by on just bread every day.

Sorry, but I don't believe this. I have to challenge the numbers on hand!
Quick glance at Sahibinden (hope it's legit) shows me the cheapest rent (as I said, shitty of course, you're doing the minimum, what do you expect) at around 20 000 TL and this for the capital. That leaves 36 000 TL for a couple so 750 $ or $25 a day!
Sorry, but this thing about the only bread diet is bull crap unless Istanbul is more expensive than Manhattan!

I seriously don't believe this, show me the numbers of it!

In the past, minimum wage workers didn't earn less than the hunger threshold. While the hunger and poverty thresholds are rising faster, the minimum wage is being eroded by inflation. %50 of the country's workforce earns the minimum wage.

So you're telling me half of the population of Turkey sleeps hungry at night!
Get real! Turkey is doing worse than Bangladesh or Sudan! Bruh........

[Hamza2424]

They're already forced to spend a large portion of their salary just to pay rent. Under these conditions, a married couple can't make ends meet even if both partners work for the minimum wage. I'm not even talking about living a normal life. They struggle just to avoid going hungry. The economy is truly in very bad shape.

Minimum wage is around $130 and it is enough for a single person, but in our culture a person earning minimum wage has to take care of his family and parents also. Now tell me how can someone making $130 a month manage all this? So what they do when the responsibilities are high is they fly abroad for work.

But if there are at least three people earning, and with time one or two must be earning higher because if you are smart and have degrees you can earn even more, so that's why people make sure their kids get degrees and have skills so they can grow and the economy can boost.

In the last few months we have seen the highest ratio of people going abroad for work because they can't work here.

[coin-investor]

The minimum wage in our country is only $11.45. It's worth a chicken bucket with 5 slices of chicken at a popular fast-food restaurant, good for lunch.
We have the worst economy among Asian workers who have to work overtime to increase their wages, and a family should have two or three of its members working to reach their ideal budget, so it's really enough, which is why we have an increasing percentage of families suffering from hunger. It's hard to keep up with inflation on a very low wage.

[LGD2Business]

Sorry, but I don't believe this. I have to challenge the numbers on hand!
Quick glance at Sahibinden (hope it's legit) shows me the cheapest rent (as I said, shitty of course, you're doing the minimum, what do you expect) at around 20 000 TL and this for the capital. That leaves 36 000 TL for a couple so 750 $ or $25 a day!
Sorry, but this thing about the only bread diet is bull crap unless Istanbul is more expensive than Manhattan!

I seriously don't believe this, show me the numbers of it!

So you're telling me half of the population of Turkey sleeps hungry at night!
Get real! Turkey is doing worse than Bangladesh or Sudan! Bruh........

I'm sorry but that's the reality. Ever since we switched to the presidential system of government, the economy has been getting worse every year. Inflation rates are deliberately kept low, but price hikes are even higher. It's getting harder to make ends meet with each passing month.

The hunger threshold for 2026 is 36k TL and the poverty threshold is 115k TL. You can check the official figures published online.

In a bad neighborhood, you can probably find a small flat for around 20k TL in rent. Utilities will run about 5-6k a month. Groceries will cost at least 20k. 2 people living on minimum wage can get by, but only if they stick to the bare essentials and avoid any social activities. Nothing more than that. If there are children, it's impossible for the family to make ends meet without help from the rest of the extended family, especially when it comes to school expenses and so on.
It's impossible for just one person to support their family anyway.

We are amazed at how people can still get by on these wages too. In a normal country, the public would have long since taken to the streets to protest and demand early elections. However in a country that has been ruled by the same people for 25 years, unfortunately even the slightest protest carries the threat of imprisonment, that's why people are scared.

I don't think we are worse than Bangladesh or Sudan but we're heading in that direction.

[aioc]

Our country has the lowest minimum wage in the region, estimated at $12 per day, and those who have graduated and those who will graduate dream not of working for a company but of going abroad to earn dollars or euros, because that $12 per day cannot even sustain a family of 3.
The minimum wage is very cheap because corruption is rampant. The wage board doesn't want to approve a higher wage because they prefer to protect the business sector.

[ZAINmalik75]

Minimum wage in our country should be $350 per month, but it is around $140. In our local currency it is around 40,000, which they have just increased this month from 37,000. This minimum wage is for labourers and is not enough, although there is no tax on minimum wage from the government.

Which is not a big benefit, but at least they were kind enough to let them suffer in those 40,000, calling it a big relief in their conference.

Someone from our government even said if anyone is earning $35 to $40 a month is not poor haha. I mean we made a lot of fun and memes on this but in reality people are suffering, they are working way too hard and getting no relief, their mental health is always affected due to this.

The minimum wage is not only for labourers but also for employees of most private companies and firms, and I also believe that so many private companies don't even pay the minimum wage to their employees unless they are threatened for getting reported. Our country is probably one of the worst when it comes to these cases. Inflation keeps increasing over time, and wages are almost stable, they might go lower but not higher, private employers barely increase the salaries of their employees, and we know that the majority works for private companies because there aren't enough government employment opportunities.

Those who are in power barely think or care about those who are suffering in this economy. The biggest example of this is the recent hikes in the prices of petroleum and CNG. They would increase the prices by a large margin when there is war, but when it came to decreasing the prices, they didn't even match the prices that were previously available for the citizens. This is why our economy keeps going down day by day.

[Cryptomultiplier]

Our country has the lowest minimum wage in the region, estimated at $12 per day, and those who have graduated and those who will graduate dream not of working for a company but of going abroad to earn dollars or euros, because that $12 per day cannot even sustain a family of 3.
The minimum wage is very cheap because corruption is rampant. The wage board doesn't want to approve a higher wage because they prefer to protect the business sector.

The official minimum wage for my country is roughly between $45 to $50 per month. Right now considering the rise of inflation and currency devaluation, this amount isn't even enough to sustain feeding or renting or a family.
Some people even work so hard at their jobs and receive this amount as their salary at the end of the month and it isn't certain the salary would be paid on time.

We are just surviving and that's why the dream of most persons is to travel overseas to hustle so their families and themselves can survive and those who live above this poverty line in the country either engage in fraudulent activities or corrupt practices just to live well and be able to afford the basic necessities of life.

[Dreadboost]

In my country I can boldly say that the minimum wage is not close to enough. Right now I'm my country inflation is on the rise and the minimum wage is like a peanut giving to workers and its not close to enough to take care of people's daily need. Prices of goods and services are on the rise and the minimum wage look good I figure, but inflation has made it useless and the people keep struggling despite the fact that they are earning income. What I am try to say is that the minimum wage in my country compared to the inflation of goods and services,  makes the money you make look useless.

[Stepstowealth]

The economy is truly in very bad shape.

looking at the current state of my countries economy, the inflation rate is terrible high,the prices of some products are doubled some even tripled. which brings us to this analysis if the minimum wage in a country is 60-70k naira monthly as it is in my country, if transportation for a month costs around 30-40k feeding costs about 40-50k a month, savings for rent 20k monthly and other petty expenditures, how is this individual expected to survive...based on all these analysis minimum wage is extremely poor in this part of the world an our government is well aware of it.

[Berry2d]

Our country has the lowest minimum wage in the region, estimated at $12 per day, and those who have graduated and those who will graduate dream not of working for a company but of going abroad to earn dollars or euros, because that $12 per day cannot even sustain a family of 3.
The minimum wage is very cheap because corruption is rampant. The wage board doesn't want to approve a higher wage because they prefer to protect the business sector.

This is a very sensitive matter that needs to be addressed because with the way inflation is eaten up our nations now i think it is necessary for attention to be channelled to the issue of minimum wage. Just like mentioned here, how can someone build a life with this poor minimum wage considering how expensive and harsh the economy is now and yet citizens are blamed for seeking a better life outside where they can make a sensitive income.
I think serious attention should be drawn towards this minimum wage directions so it can be modified to meet up to expectations and help cover so gaps in our expenses as it is very important.

[Franklyn-wood]

Our country has the lowest minimum wage in the region, estimated at $12 per day, and those who have graduated and those who will graduate dream not of working for a company but of going abroad to earn dollars or euros, because that $12 per day cannot even sustain a family of 3.
The minimum wage is very cheap because corruption is rampant. The wage board doesn't want to approve a higher wage because they prefer to protect the business sector.

This is a very sensitive matter that needs to be addressed because with the way inflation is eaten up our nations now i think it is necessary for attention to be channelled to the issue of minimum wage. Just like mentioned here, how can someone build a life with this poor minimum wage considering how expensive and harsh the economy is now and yet citizens are blamed for seeking a better life outside where they can make a sensitive income.
I think serious attention should be drawn towards this minimum wage directions so it can be modified to meet up to expectations and help cover so gaps in our expenses as it is very important.

To me I think increase minimum wage has little impact on the economy at a time when inflation is hitting counties this time. It is not just in a particular country but this is affecting many countries all over the world. In our country we are currently heading to a stage of inflation called cost push, where the cost of raw materials and wages extremely increase making the cost of business also increase in other to guide there limit avoiding shortage and continue in business.

[Vaculin]

As long as price inflation continue to occur, minimum wage will never be enough, especially if you are also renting an apartment, that already eats more than half of your monthly salary. Plus you have your monthly bills and kids allowance, there is no way that a minimum wage will make ends meet.

This is the reason why getting side hustles are more encouraged these days. This is the only way minimum wage earners will survive, or else they will continue with their daily struggles due to lack of sources and insufficient income. Even a single working individual itself will hardly manage a minimum wage monthly.

[Alpha Marine]

Minimum wage cannot be enough in any country. That is why it is called minimum wage. And increasing the minimum wage won't solve the issue because if you increase the minimum wage, the economy would see that there is more money in the economy, and the price of goods and services in the country would increase. So instead of focusing on the minimum wage, the government should focus on managing inflation.
It's inflation that makes the cost of living high.
I'm not an expert, but simply using monetary policy to manage inflation is only a short-term fix. What the economy needs is to be productive on all fronts. Make production very competitive and the cost of doing business as low as possible. 
When there is a lot of competition and a low cost of doing business, the cost of things won't be as expensive as it currently is.

[bhadz]

Are minimum wages sufficient?

10 to 20 years ago I'd say that it's sufficient. Because I've worked with multiple jobs that paid me in minimum wage and I survived and can buy a lot of things. But in the modern times, it's no longer sufficient. A small space of rent near to the location of the job could cost someone a week or two of their job and that's only for the rent of the space or bedspace not including the utilities bill and the food that you'll eat. So you'll barely survive and you'll have no means of spare to do it for savings, entertainment and investing.

[uneng]

In Brazil minimum wage is 314,62$, and it's not enough for an individual to live with dignity by himself. Costs of food and basic bills such as electricity, water and internet are too expensive. As consequence, people who live on minimum wage have to give up on life quality in order to survive. They have to give up on quality food to purchase the cheapest shitty one, they have to give up on having leisure, because it's expensive to go out, to travel and to party.

It's important to focus on raising income somehow, because to live forever on minimum wage means modern slavery.

[EL MOHA]

The government helps the lower classes a lot though. Something that helps make things a little bit easier. There are a bunch of foundations too like the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation that even pays them additional salaries. Also we are an Islamic country so there are concepts like Khums and Zakat that help funding the charitable organizations and help the distribution of wealth.

I perfectly agree with you that the major problem associated with minimum wage is that fact that they country’s inflation is actually growing fast and this is eating up the minimum wage really fast, I am even obliged to actually believe that the government in some countries banks on this inflation hitting even minimum wage to actually get to keep the people just in the average class such that they don’t bother to think big but rather have them at the mercies of the government.

Some people actually would see this as a self religion praise, but I think the Islamic Zaka’at that is obligatory or mandatory to any Muslim actually to pay up the Zaka’at if they meet up the requirements to be eligible, this to me was the way out to those minimum wage alone, this charity is to be given to someone until they are capable of actually paying Zaka’at too, and this is to me best way on how wealth can be balanced between the two classes of people