- Consider a low-wage labour market. Workers in this market are
not presently covered by the minimum wage, but the government is
considering implementing such legislation. If implemented, this law
would require employers in the market to pay workers a $5 hourly
wage. Suppose all workers in the market are equally productive, the
current market clearing wage rate is $4 per hour, and that at this
market clearing wage there are 600 employed workers. Further
suppose that under the minimum wage legislation, only 500 workers
would be employed and 300 workers would be unemployed. Finally,
assume that the market demand and supply curves are linear and that
the market reservation wage, the lowest wage at which any worker in
the market would be willing to work, is $2.
Assume 500 workers who are employed
after minimum wage were all employed before.
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- (1.5 points) Compute the dollar value of the impact of the
policy on employers.
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- (1.5 points) Compute the dollar value of the impact of the
policy on workers who remain employed.
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- (2.5 points) Compute the dollar value of the impact of the
policy on workers who workers who lose their jobs as a result of
the minimum wage.
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- (2.5 points) Compute the dollar value of the impact of the
policy on workers who are induced by the higher wage to enter the
market but don’t get jobs.
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- (2 points) Compute the dollar value of the impact of the policy
on society as a whole.