The Wellesley Institute released a new report today highlighting who is earning minimum or low wages in the province. 
The numbers reflect what we see in our phone-line every day. Women, racialized workers and recent immigrants are more likely to be earning minimum wage. Minimum wage work is increasing across the board for adult workers, who now make up almost 40% of minimum wage earners.
Almost one in three Ontario workers make $14.25 or less and will benefit from raising the minimum wage to 10% above the poverty line. These numbers show that raising the minimum wage is also an important tool to address the systemic income inequality faced by women, racialized workers and newcomers.
In a feature today, the Toronto Star profiled the report and Campaign to Raise the Minimum Wage members who are struggling to survive on $10.25 and are fighting for an increase!
WAC member Doreen Clarke, who is working as a personal support worker, shared her story: “I now have full-time hours with another agency. But when they told me the pay is $10.25, I had to cry….I have worked in grocery stores, shelters, evenings, days. It is hard work. But the pay gets worse.”
This is why Doreen and many others across the province are mobilizing for a $14 minimum wage. WAC is a member of the steering committee of the Campaign to Raise the Minimum Wage. This Thanksgiving weekend, actions for a $14 minimum wage are happening across the province. Check out a full list of actions here.
In Toronto, join us at a Feast for Fairness at St. Lawrence Market on Saturday October 12th at 10:30am. Help us win a $14 minimum wage for all workers! More info on the event here.
Read the full report here:
Read the Toronto Star article here: