📚 Learning Guide
Labor Market Equilibrium
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What is the likely effect of a government intervention that increases the minimum wage on the labor market equilibrium, assuming a shift in labor demand occurs simultaneously?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Decrease in employment and increase in wages

B

Increase in employment and decrease in wages

C

No change in employment or wages

D

Increase in both employment and wages

Understanding the Answer

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Answer

When a government increases the minimum wage, it sets a new lower limit on how much workers can be paid. This can lead to higher earnings for those who keep their jobs, but it might also cause some employers to hire fewer workers or even lay off existing staff if they cannot afford the higher wages. If, at the same time, there is a shift in labor demand—perhaps due to a new technology that reduces the need for workers—this can further complicate the situation. For example, if a factory needs fewer workers because it has automated part of its process, the increased minimum wage might lead to fewer job openings. Overall, the labor market equilibrium, which is where the supply of workers meets the demand for jobs, may shift, leading to higher wages but potentially fewer employment opportunities.

Detailed Explanation

When the minimum wage goes up, some businesses may hire fewer workers. Other options are incorrect because This option suggests that more jobs would be created while wages drop; This choice implies that changes in minimum wage have no effect.

Key Concepts

shifts in labor demand
labor market interventions
Topic

Labor Market Equilibrium

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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