Youth Minimum Wage Bill Proposal in Michigan

Youth Minimum Wage Bill Proposal in Michigan

LANSING - The Michigan Minimum Wage Bill has always had limitations for young adults under age 18. Recently, Senator Margaret O'Brien proposed that if they raise the training wage, meaning the wage you get for 90 days when starting at a new workplace, then they can raise the age of limitations on minimum wage to age 20.

"This would mean that 18 and 19 year olds that we let fight for our country or have the same rights as other adults to get paid a lower and I just think that's unfair and wrong," said Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. of Lansing.

Employers have always had the option to give employees under 18 a special wage and that's because they are probably still in high school and/or living at home. But around ages 18,19, and 20, these teens become young adults and move onto a higher education. Senator Hertel's point was that the state would be taking money away from young adults who need it.

Student and 22-year-old Erin Elke works at the East Lansing Public Library for minimum wage and she says that it would be very unfair to pay an 18 or 19 year old less money if they are doing the same work as a 20 year old.

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