HOW DO THE MINIMUM WAGE LAWS AFFECT ME AS A YOUTH?
—> In Rhode Island, every employer is required to pay his or her adult employees the minimum wage which until recently was six dollars and fifteen cents ($6.15) per hour; however, minors aged fourteen (14) and fifteen (15) may legally be paid less than the minimum wage, but not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the minimum wage. The reasoning underlying this lesser amount was to provide an economic incentive, that is, to encourage employers to hire younger or teen workers. The goal is to assure younger workers a start in the work force. It is difficult for teens to find employment, particularly when the economy is generally bad and adults are losing their jobs. There is a notion that it may take more time or be more difficult to supervise young workers and therefore, it is believed that reducing the wages to attract employers would reduce teen unemployment. Effective January 1, 2004, the minimum wage was increased to six dollars and seventy-five cents ($6.75). This is the first i
