Shard

Can you rephrase?

BristolUK

There goes that demeaning expression again.

scrubbedexpat091

And all jobs require some sort of skill, just different kinds of jobs, but no need to use demeaning words or phrases like people do when talking about low skilled workers.

Probably better for low skilled jobs and folks to be called just that low skill, not unskilled.

I've done some pretty basic jobs and even those technically did require some skills, they didn't take long to learn, but how long a skill takes shouldn't matter.

BristolUK

Or 'high tolerance' positions. Nice positive spin.

MarkG

There goes that 'change the topic, I don't like this one', again.

Back on the actual topic, are you really saying that countries should be importing unskilled immigrants to flip burgers, just so they don't have to increase wages to encourage locals to take the jobs? Are you some evil right-wing fat-cat who doesn't want to pay people what their labour is worth?

Former Lancastrian

The unfortunate thing about labour be it skilled or unskilled there is always someone somewhere willing to take that job for less money if given the chance.
Canada has a minimum wage which varies by province. Does El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, the Philippines and a host of other countries.
A job paying $10 an hour or more to them is like winning the lottery.
I agree a skilled worker is more sought after and some of the best are recruited and enticed with lucrative salaries, bonuses and perks. An unskilled worker highly unlikely.

BristolUK

Ah yes, the topic that was about an income level appropriate for immigrants in the UK until you changed it to your skill set in Canada?

Aviator

Who determines what labour is worth?

Piff Poff

What makes you think I am not a burger flipper as you so succinctly put it? And if there were enough people to flip burgers why are there so many immigrants employed in the burger flipping business?


From what i understand the governemnt is saying that 35k is the minimum a immigrant needs to earn to have a self supporting standard of living but the minimum wage is what? Less than half that? surely the minimum wage should be high enough to support a self supporting standard of living without having to have benefits kick in.

Shard

Thanks for the rephrasing.

I think that's mixing two issues. The 35K is a not too subtle a means to reduce immigrant numbers by selecting for higher skills. It also ensures the individuals will be beyond benefit eligibility. Minimum wage is simply that, an artificial minimum set by the government. It doesn't ensure a satisfactory standard if living, far from it in most places.

Currently this is a hot topic as Cameron has announced he wants to scrap the "merry-go-round" tax credits system brought in by Labour. But as you say, the minimum wage should then be high enough, the so called "living wage" and whether it will be is anyone's guess.

Novocastrian

In Canada (no doubt province dependent) the "living wage" is considered to be about $16 an hour, or about $30K per year if a full time job.

That's somewhere between 16K and 20K sterling. Rather less than 35K.

Just saying.

Shard

That's about what has been suggested here. London is £9.15/hr about £17-18K.

Piff Poff

Yet the minimum wage in Alberta is $10.25, thats quite the shortfall, no wonder there are people camped out in the woods on the hwy as you come into town.

Steve_

The Govt. did some research into who gets the minimum wage in Alberta a few years ago, dunno if you saw it in the press, but as I recall the main people who seemed to be getting it were people who worked at the checkout in liquor stores.

Which I found rather ironic given that it used to be nationalized (provincialized?)

Pulaski

Good grief! On an annualized basis I earned more than that labouring in a biscuit and crisp warehouse in a small provincial city, ...... more than 25 years ago! If the goal is to weed out those not paying their way in 2016, it needs to be set at at least £30,000 and I don't think £35,000 is at all unreasonable.