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Minimum Wage Problem

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Growing up I have always taken a keen interest in activism and attempting to do my part to solve some of the many problems the world faces on a daily basis in the twenty first century. I strongly believe in equality of opportunity, and so I am a strong advocate for better education within the country and affirmative action based on circumstances and privilege. In addition to my love for activism and creating an awareness to the problems that persist today, I have a passion for numbers and problem solving. I love taking on an extremely challenging problem-solving question or riddle and exercising my brain in search of a practical solution. The combination of my love for activism and problem-solving lead me directly to this problem, the problem …show more content…
The average minimum wage worker does not have a very good education and cannot see the effects of raising the minimum wage on themselves and the country. A rise in the minimum wage will inevitably raise the unemployment rate and slow the economy, placing more pressure on businesses and leaving thousands homeless, jobless and hopeless. The only way to raise the minimum wage in this country over the long term is to reduce it in the short term, however this is not an easy solution, and after the emotional effects this protest has had on the minimum wage workers, it is almost impossible. Unfortunately the issue lies in the idea of instant gratification and a lack of foresight, which stem from a lack of education and the preachings of Saftu.

COSATU, the country’s largest trade union federation, have expressed their support for Ramaphosa and the proposed minimum wage, and distanced itself from the protests organized by Saftu. This proves that the idea of finding a sustainable solution is not an unpopular one, however the problems it faces are by no means easy to overcome. As long as the root problem of a poor education system, coupled with a federation playing on the ignorance of its members, continues to exist, the struggle between instant gratification and a brighter future will continue to rear its ugly

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