1.    What is a living wage rate?

A living wage rate is how much a worker on Guam would have  to earn in order to afford a comfortable living on Guam.  That rate, according to the latest information provided by the Department of Public Health, is $13.25 an hour.

2.    How will this help me?

By providing a wage equal to the cost of living on Guam, we are able to provide a comfortable living for ourselves and our families.

3.    How will the living wage act help build Guam’s economy?

The Poverty line on Guam is approx. $12.50 per hour so when the majority of the 11,660 public servants and 37,330 private sector workers that make an average of $11.16 per hour, earn below the poverty line we must use public moneys to subsidize their income. This means that public dollars are going to subsidize business profits instead of going towards education, healthcare and public safety.

4.    Why are Guam businesses opposed to it?

Historically, Guam’s businesses oppose any wage increases because it impacts their profit margins.

5.    If the wage rate increases, will the cost of everything else go up, too?

This is an argument businesses have used to destroy any hopes of

increasing employee wages.   They declare it will lead to an even higher

cost of living and in effect contradict the purpose of the wage increase.

This isn’t true.  Just recently minimum wages were raised by Federal mandate and so far, there’s been nothing to indicate the truth in their argument.

6.    How can I help?

Call, write, email, fax, tell your Senators, the Governor  and anyone else you know to support the Living Wage Rate Bill No. 111.