Minimum wage has always been an important topic throughout the United States of America, and a most debated one as well. As of 2021, the Federal Minimum Wage has been set at $7.25 an hour. However, this doesn’t mean this is the standard of living, as many of the States choose to set separate wages all over the US. North Carolina, the Tar Heel State, is one of those states that choose to opt-out of the Federal Minimum Wage, and as of 2021, the current rate for North Carolina has been set at $7.50. These wages are expected to change drastically over the next years in North Carolina, and by 2023, it is projected to rise significantly.
The reason behind this exponential increase in wage is due to the effort efforts of citizens, non- governmental organizations, and the government of North Carolina. Many citizens and members of the National Organization for Women have been actively working onMinimum Wage Act in 2019 that provides more sustainable and liveable environment. This constant effort has led to the increase in minimum wage rate Proposed Bill of 2019 to increase the wage rate to $15 an hour. Nonetheless, this bill was never passed due to the lack of support from the pubic and state legislature.
Despite this, in 2021, the North Carolina Legislature passed a bill increasing the state’s minimum wage but at a more gradual rate. If passed, couples with the current living wage rate as of 2021, the minimum wage rate in 2023 will be set at $10 an hour. This bill also added $1 annually to the rate until 2027 when the maximum wage rate will be set at $15 an hour. Contrary to the previous Bill from 2019, this bill has a much bigger chance of passing due to its gradual increase in rate that makes it more comfortable for citizens to adjust to the wage increase.
Nonetheless, the wage increase in North Carolina may still fall short from the requirement of the current generation and individual households to live in a livable environment. The rate of inflation, cost of living and other forms of living costs in the state outpace the wage increase. To counteract this, organizations such as the National Organization for Women have demanded the state to pass more progressive legislation to design a minimum wage rate that is liveable, sustainable and inclusive of the need of individuals and families.
In conclusion, although the wage rate of the state of North Carolina is set to raise by the year 2023, it may fall short of the requirement needed to maintain a sustainable quality of life. Efforts to pass more progressive legislation by citizens, non-governmental organization, and the government is still required to raise the wage rate to a more livable rate.
