Minimum wage not enough for young workers

by Justin Thompson

Ontario workers earning minimum wage are struggling to live on $10.25 an hour, especially if
they’re under the age of 25.

According to a 2009 labour force survey by Statistics Canada, about 60 per cent of minimum wage workers were under the age of 25. Many of these workers are students with part-time jobs.

Adrian Hutchison, 24, is a full-time business student at the University of Windsor and has been working a part-time job at Tim Hortons for more than five years. Over that time Hutchison’s hourly wage has been raised by $1.50 but only because of increases to minimum wage.

“Living on minimum wage affects me because that is the only type of job you can find while in school and the limited income makes it hard to live comfortably,” said Hutchison.

Ontario’s average hourly wage was $22.75 in 2009 that is more than double the current minimum wage. Students have a hard time finding well-paying jobs because they have not completed their education and have limited availability, according to notes in the survey.

“The main struggle I have faced is the ability to pay tuition and buy textbooks while being able to have money to also buy things that I enjoy.” said Hutchison.

Statistics Canada also reports that close to 60 per cent of all minimum wage workers, not just those under 25, live with their parents or a family member.

Josh Kaiser, 22, works full-time as a consultant at Sutherland Global Services. He currently lives with his parents but has made plans to move into his own place in a couple of weeks.

“Right now while I’m living with my parents minimum wage gives me a pretty easy life,” said Kaiser. “But this is only because I get most of my food free, and my living expenses are covered. When I move out this will be a very different story and I know with my OSAP payments, rent, utilities, and food costs my savings account will drop back down to zero.”

Minimum wage will increase to $11 June 1. The increase is being made because of the rate of inflation. Kaiser said he was hoping to see a greater increase and is going to have a hard time saving his extra 75 cents an hour.

“Eleven dollars isn’t going to help me much more than $10.25 per hour,” said Kaiser.

Full-time workers earning minimum wage can expect a weekly wage increase of $30. Depending on how many hours part-time employees work they could still fall short of the Ontario poverty line of $19,719 for single adults.