In: Economics
Suppose the demand for fast food workers can be defined a labor demand equation of LD = 95-3w. All fast food workers are covered by the minimum wage and it is binding. Will an increase in the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.00 per hour increase, decrease, or have no effect on the aggregate earnings of fast food workers?
If (w = 7.25),
LD = 95 – 3w
= 95 – 3 × 7.25
= 95 – 21.75
= 73.25
Aggregate earnings = LD × w = 73.25 × 7.25 = 531.06
If (w = 9),
LD = 95 – 3w
= 95 – 3 × 9
= 95 – 27
= 68
Aggregate earnings = LD × w = 68 × 9 = 612
At the increase in w the labor demand decreases; but aggregate earning increases from $531.06 to $612.
Answer: increase