Do you know the minimum wage of your country? As you may know, the minimum wage in Korea is 5,210 won. What should we do with this money? In fact, it is even too tight for one meal. Though we worked for one full hour, we can barely buy one cup of Starbucks coffee. Even if we want to eat a nice meal, we need to work for a couple of hours.
  Have you noticed that inflation in Korea is increasing recently? Korea’s Price Index in comparison with the minimum wage usually scores top 10 in the world. The minimum wage gives human rights to low-wage workers. In fact, we can realize the deficient minimum wage in Korea with these words, ‘If you want to travel cheaply, Europe is cheaper than Seoul.’
  Then, what is the minimum wage in other countries? German congress applied a €8.5 minimum wage after a ten-year discussion. There are other countries where they applied a minimum wage after they realized its importance.
  In the United States, many waiters who work in a restaurant have earned a low minimum wage. For this reason, they are famous for tipping culture. After the meal, most people provide tips with the bill. They leave from their seat after putting a tip for the waiter on the table. A fair tip for a waiter is 15~20% of the total check.

Do you think that the wage of your country is fair?
If you don’t think so, how much do you want it to be?

Jong Ri(China, female): l think that the wage level of China needs to be lowered.

Miyuu Watanabe(Japan, female): The minimum wage of Japan should be at least ¥ 1,000. High inflation is the reason. Also, in comparison with other advanced countries, our minimum wage level is low.

What do you think the reason for having a minimum wage is?

Jong Ri(China, female): Because China has a large population, it makes severe competition between firms. This severe competition will lead to sudden wage decrease. Thus, in order to ensure the livelihood of workers, I think that a minimum wage should continue in China.

Miyuu Watanabe(Japan, female): Nowadays, low-wage worker is increasing. So, in my opinion, Japan needs a minimum wage that ensures human rights and the livelihood of workers.
 

By Ko Jeong-eun
je35@cbnu.ac.kr