Amidst the campaigning this year, it is disappointing that neither side considered the experience of five European countries that do not have minimum wage laws, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland (which ranks among the happiest countries in the world), Norway and Switzerland. Yes, they all have strong union representation that negotiates with industry trade groups to set wages for the industry, but the heavy hand of government is not involved.

Experience is one of the criteria used to set minimum wage, thus a new employee is not barred from entry to an industry by an artificially high wage, and the employer is not burdened by “carrying” inexperienced employees at high wages. It is important to note that the labor participation rates of these countries are some of the highest in the world at between the low 70 to low 80% range, compared to Maine’s 60.2% rate.

Maine and Portland’s political leaders should repeal their minimum wage laws, or do these politicians believe they are better qualified to allocate labor and business costs than industry specific labor and trade groups?

Timothy Michalak
Cumberland