[Alberta's Child]

Employees earning the new wage say they have lost benefits such as 401k, paid holidays, paid vacation, free food, free parking and overtime hours.

That's probably one of the REAL reasons why governments adopted these high minimum wages in the first place. They've incentivized businesses to eliminate benefits like the ones listed here -- most of which are either non-taxable or are taxed in ways that can't be effectively enforced -- in lieu with a higher base wage that is subject to all of the usual income and payroll taxes.

[khelus]

Re:Employees earning the new wage say they have lost benefits such as 401k, paid holidays, paid vacation, free food, free parking and overtime hours.

That's probably one of the REAL reasons why governments adopted these high minimum wages in the first place. They've incentivized businesses to eliminate benefits like the ones listed here -- most of which are either non-taxable or are taxed in ways that can't be effectively enforced -- in lieu with a higher base wage that is subject to all of the usual income and payroll taxes.

An additional bonus is a whole new group of people taxed into a favorable view of dependence upon big government for some of life's necessities, e.g. food and medical care.