Imagine a bustling farmers' market where farmers bring apples and buyers come to buy them. In the labour market, workers are the apples and employers are the buyers. The price of apples is the wage paid to workers. Let’s explore how this price is set and how the government can step in.
Workers decide how many hours they want to work at each wage level. The supply curve, S(W), slopes upward: higher wages attract more workers.
Employers want workers to produce goods. The demand curve, D(W), slopes downward: higher wages mean employers hire fewer workers.
Where S(W) meets D(W), we find the equilibrium wage \$W^*\$ and employment level \$E^*\$.
📈 Analogy: Think of a seesaw. The point where the seesaw balances is like the equilibrium wage.
Wage differentials arise when workers differ in skills, experience, or location. They are explained by differences in supply and demand for specific types of labour.
| Skill Level | Supply | Demand | Equilibrium Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low‑skill | High supply | Low demand | \$W_{low}\$ |
| High‑skill | Low supply | High demand | \$W_{high}\$ |
The difference \$W{high} - W{low}\$ is the wage differential. It shows how the market rewards scarce, high‑skill labour.
The government sets a floor price for wages. If the market equilibrium \$W^*\$ is below the minimum wage \$W{min}\$, employers must pay at least \$W{min}\$.
⚖️ Effect: Can reduce unemployment for low‑skill workers but may increase unemployment if set too high.
By improving the supply of high‑skill workers, the government shifts the supply curve rightwards, raising wages for those skills.
Tax breaks for hiring certain groups (e.g., young workers) or subsidies for training can alter the effective demand for labour.
| Policy | Target | Potential Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | Low‑skill workers | ↑ wages, ↓ employment (if too high) |
| Training Grants | Skill development | ↑ supply of skilled workers, ↑ wages |
| Tax Incentives | Hiring of specific groups | ↑ demand for labour, ↓ wages |
📌 Key Points to Remember:
📌 Sample Question: “Explain the impact of a minimum wage set above the equilibrium wage on employment and wages for low‑skill workers.”
Answer with a diagram (drawn in class) and a short paragraph explaining the shift in supply/demand and the resulting unemployment.