Living Wage Facts
A worker who earns the minimum wage ($5.15 per hour) would need to work
at least 69 hours a week to be above the federal poverty level for a family of
four. Working this many hours at this wage would only lift his or her family
above the poverty line if the worker never missed any work time for sickness,
holidays, or vacation. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Working full-time for 50 weeks a year, a workers would need to earn at least
$9.20 an hour to be above the poverty line for a family of four. A worker would
need to earn at least $11.96 an hour to be above the income level that qualifies
for Food Stamps for a family of four. (U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services)
Most poverty experts believe that the federal poverty level is an outdate measure
that is too low. A 2002 study entitled “What is a Living Wage for Memphis?”
has found that the wage needed to meet basic needs for housing, transportation,
food, childcare, clothing, and health care in Memphis is about twice as high as
the poverty level. (University of Memphis, Center for Research on Women)
“What is a Living Wage for Memphis?” finds that in a family of four where both
parents work, each parent would need to earn at least $10.04 an hour to meet
their basic living expenses. A single parent with two children would need to
earn at least $15.64 an hour if working full-time. (University of Memphis,
Center for Research on Women)
The median wage for child care workers, one of the fastest growing occupations
in Memphis, is $6.36 an hour. Home health aides, another fast growing job in
our community, earn $8.31 an hour on average. (Tennessee Department
of Labor and Workforce Development; Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Among the fastest growing occupations in Tennessee, 85% pay less than a
living wage for a family of four, and 47% pay less than half of a living wage.
(National Priorities Project)
Forty-three percent of people renting housing in Memphis cannot afford the
fair market rent. (National Low Income Housing Coalition)
Fifty-two percent of workers in Tennessee earn wages below the poverty level
for a family of three. (Current Population Survey, U.S. Census)
I ugre everyone to write our mayor and City council to join the fight…..It is morally wrong to work a human being, half to death, and still have him and his children in the grip of poverty.
This issue will be a major part of the Joe Paycheck Society’s efforts in the comming year.
Bradius
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