Why a minimum wage will not help SA's poor

21 August 2016 - 02:00
By BRIAN KANTOR

The government has decided (thankfully) to kick the national minimum wage into touch. The hope must be that its panel advises that any national minimum wage high enough to make a meaningful difference to the working poor is a very bad idea. It cannot offer much poverty relief to those in jobs without destroying the opportunity to find work for many more, particularly the inexperienced, the young and those outside cities.

This article is reserved for Sunday Times subscribers.

A subscription gives you full digital access to all Sunday Times content.

Please visit SundayTimes.co.za in your desktop to view our latest subscription options.

Already subscribed? Simply sign in below.

Sign In

Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.