In: Economics
If Alex seeks to maintain a constant income level, and all workers in his industry, including Alex, get a wage increase, which of the following will always be true?
A)The market supply of labor curve will be backward bending for Alex's type of work
B)The income effect of the raise causes Alex to work more
C)Alex will have a backward bending supply curve for his labor
D)The substitution effect of the wage increase leads to less work
When wage rate is increased, substitution effect would encourage Alex to work more and less leisure because the opportunity cost of leisure is increased. However, income effect of a wage increase would encourage more leisure and less work. Since Alex seeks to maintain a constant income level, when wage rate is increased, he would work less so that income is not increased. Hence, Alex must face a backward bending supply curve for his labor since higher wage induces him to work less.
Option C is correct