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West Hollywood will boast the highest minimum wage in the United States , after the City Council approved the motion to increase it to $ 17. 64 dollars per hour.
The provision will enter into force on January 1, 2022 for hotel workers , while on July 1, 2022 will be for the other workers.
Currently, the minimum wage in West Hollywood ranges from $ 13 and $ 14 dollars per hour, depending on the number of workers each company has.
In California, the minimum wage is $ 13 dollars an hour if the employer has 25 workers or less . For companies with 26 or more employees, the minimum wage amount is $ 14 Dollars.
For both groups, in 2022 the minimum wage will be increased by $ 1.
The highest minimum wage at the moment is the Californian city of Emeryville, after last July it increased it to $ 14. 13 dollars per hour .
Stagnant, the federal minimum wage
The federal minimum wage has not had any increase since 2009, stuck at $ 7. 25 dollars an hour .
West Hollywood indicated that the salary increase will help keep workers and their f amilias out of poverty , in addition to allowing employees to meet their basic needs and avoid economic hardship.
The increase in the minimum wage was initially contemplated for workers in the hotel sector, but the city authorities considered that if it was the appropriate amount for hotel employees, it was also appropriate for the rest of the workers
Some reports indicate that, to stay in Los Angeles, it would be required a salary of $ 19. 35 dollars per hour .
“I have some friends who work at $ 17 dollars an hour elsewhere and they’re still fighting so I think it’s a good start, but I think we could do a little better, ”Matthew Hendrickson, tr low-income worker in West Hollywood.
However, local business owners argued that the move may backfire because they are still recovering from back rent due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Other owners indicated that the increase in the minimum wage It could force to raise prices, cut services or even lead companies to change their West Hollywood residence .
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