Low-wage

Relating to or denoting employment that offers a salary or hourly rate significantly below the average income level, often insufficient to meet basic living expenses. low-wage jobs frequently involve limited opportunities for advancement, minimal benefits (such as health insurance or paid time off), and are concentrated in sectors like retail, food service, and personal care. These jobs contribute to economic inequality and can trap workers in a cycle of poverty, making it difficult to improve their financial standing and secure long-term financial stability. The term highlights the precarious financial situation of workers who are not compensated fairly for their labor. This is because their earnings are low and/or are not sufficient to meet their daily expenses.

Low-wage meaning with examples

• The fast-food industry is often criticized for relying on a largely low-wage workforce, leading to high employee turnover and difficulty in retaining experienced staff. Many employees struggle to afford basic necessities, forcing them to seek additional employment to make ends meet.
• Economists debated the impact of raising the minimum wage, with opponents arguing it could hurt small businesses and lead to job losses, while proponents contended it would lift low-wage workers out of poverty and stimulate the economy through increased spending.
• The rise of automation poses a significant threat to many low-wage jobs, particularly those involving repetitive tasks, as machines become increasingly capable of performing these functions more efficiently and inexpensively.
• Policy interventions, such as earned income tax credits and affordable housing initiatives, are often considered as methods to supplement income for families with at least one low-wage earner, helping to improve their standard of living.
• The exploitation of low-wage immigrant workers, who are vulnerable to unfair labor practices and are often exploited, raises ethical concerns about fairness and social justice, and the treatment of workers in general.