Assembly Joint Resolution
No. 12
CHAPTER 152
Relative to minimum wage.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
September 27, 2013.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AJR 12, Gatto.
Minimum wage.
This measure would call upon the President of the United States and the United States Trade Representative to include raising foreign minimum wages in future treaties, trade agreements, and other international protocols. It would also call upon the Senate of the United States to decline to ratify these agreements that fail to include these provisions.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, Unemployment remains too high in the United States, with one significant cause being the “outsourcing” of quality trades, manufacturing, and service industry jobs to nations where workers are paid miniscule wages for their labor; and
WHEREAS, In an age of “globalization,” many American industries have suffered due to competition from foreign employers who pay wages well below the federal minimum wage; and
WHEREAS, A standardized international minimum wage, or even a staggered annual increase in foreign minimum wages, would ensure that American workers and firms compete on a “level playing field” in the global market; and
WHEREAS, A rising minimum wage in foreign countries would raise the standard of living for billions of people worldwide and would open new markets to American exports; and
WHEREAS, A guarantee of fair wages and employment rights would curb the exploitation of workers; and
WHEREAS, The advent of a minimum wage in developing countries would eliminate the need for some American foreign aid and assist in reducing poverty and creating more stable societies less prone towards wars or terrorism; and
WHEREAS, The United States has a long history of stimulating beneficial policies abroad when negotiating treaties and trade agreements, including, inter alia, demanding free elections, protecting American patents, prohibiting nuclear testing, requiring currency stabilization, and requiring environmental safeguards, as a condition for peaceable relations, open trade, and robust commerce with the United States; and
WHEREAS, The United States is in a unique position to affect global policies by utilizing its treaty powers to require foreign nations to stop exploiting low wages for competitive advantage; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature respectfully calls upon the President of the United States and the United States Trade Representative to include raising foreign minimum wages in future treaties, trade agreements, and other international protocols; and that the Senate of the United States Congress decline to ratify such agreements that fail to include such provisions; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to the Secretary of the United States Senate, for distribution among members of the United States Senate.