Business responds to Maryland’s minimum wage expanding on Friday
It’s been an unfathomable year for a huge number of business owners hit hard during the Covid pandemic.
Some striving businesses are worried as a new minimum wage increment looms in the new year.
On Friday, the minimum wage will increment in the state, while numerous businesses are as yet making an honest effort to endure the pandemic.
A decision that started debate in the state’s Capitol, passing a few roadblocks to eventually, in March 2019, state lawmakers superseding the governor’s denial of the minimum wage bill.
“I hate to make this only the burden of businesses,” said Sen. Stephen Hershey, R-Caroline, Cecil, Kent & Queen Anne’s counties.
“The most issue in this country today is raising the incomes of working people,” said Sen. Jim Rosapepe, D-Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties.
However, precisely one year later a dangerous virus would come, devastating the state’s economy.
“We have a big problem whether we pay the rent all the way,” Philly’s Best owner Guyanendra Gahadraj said.
What’s more, for Gahadraj, long stretches of bearing the pandemic could turn out to be more troublesome in the new year when the minimum wage in Maryland goes up.
“That’s going to be a big problem for the employers. If business goes more down, I don’t hire new employees. I have no money,” Gahadraj said.
Beginning Friday, the minimum wage increments to $11.75 for individuals working for employers who have at least 15 representatives.
It increments to $11.60 for those working for employers with 14 or less employees.
The minimum wage is set to increment by 75 cents every year until it comes to $15 by the year 2025.
“We’re all trying to stay alive, but you can’t do that on the backs of your staff,” Golden West Cafe owner Samantha Classen said.
Classen says the raise is fundamental and is idealistic when businesses traverse this pandemic the expansion will assist workers with standing up.
“It’s something that just needs to happen,” Classen said. “Everyone, I think, is in a position where they understand that sometimes costs are going to have to increase to offset these changes, but it’s absolutely for the betterment of everyone.”
Also, Montgomery County is the only county that will keep its minimum wage.
About Author
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Florida Times Daily journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
