President Barack Obama stated several times for Congress to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, and a new report reaffirmed his bid can come to fruition through state levels or executive action.
The Latino unemployment rate is 7.8 percent in the U.S., based on July's report from the Department of Labor, but despite the rate's increase, Latinos remain optimistic about their economic future.
The U.S. Department of Labor revealed the overall unemployment rate increased to 6.2 percent for July, but the rate for Latinos remained at 7.8 percent.
California's minimum wage has increased by $1, but residents are unsure about the decision. Latinos, however, are in favor increasing the state's minimum wage even further.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on the United States to raise the nation's minimum wage. IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said a boost in the federal minimum wage would alleviate and raise and incomes of Americans along the poverty line.
Some fast-food companies have begun experimenting with robotic technology that would considerably reduce the employment of restaurant workers who are currently protesting against the corporate chains demanding higher wages.
Hundreds of fast-food workers in a several U.S. and international cities joined the minimum wage debate Thursday by staging a walk off from their jobs and demanding a $15-an-hour wage.
The Republicans blocked a bill on Wednesday that could have increased the minimum wage. President Barack Obama and Democrats are furious, but Republicans are holding firm.
Recent reports have shown that the American middle class has been bested, and they are no longer the wealthiest among their global peers. The report documents the plummet of the American middle class, large pay disparities, and unbalanced distribution of wealth. The after-tax middle class income in Canada is higher than American wages. In addition, European low-income residents earn more than American low-income residents.
Connecticut lawmakers Wednesday evening approved legislation that raises the state's minimum wage level to $10.10 an hour by 2017, making it the state with the highest minimum wage in the nation.
