Have you ever started the day at your parent's house wanting to leave but can't? Because you can't afford to pay rent let alone basic necessities for yourself. In this essay I will discuss the minimum wage debate in Florida and answer the question “why should the minimum wage be increased?”. As of 2019, Florida's minimum wage is $8.46, just a 2.5% improvement over the 2018 minimum wage. But many still argue that it is still too low for those who live off these low wages and are exploited under these conditions. Proposing a low wage increase of 3.54-6.54% or $12-15 would be such a drastic difference that it could lead to such an improvement for many people and even the economy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayThe current minimum wage in Florida fails to be sustainable for those who rely on them, for those who clean, serve food, care for the elderly, stock shelves, deliver food, and so much more. It's not just teenagers who do these jobs, but adults too. People trying to make ends meet and create a better future for themselves and their families. Many of these low-wage jobs provide a minimum of $8.46 currently in 2019. Regardless, it is still not enough for those living on minimum wage to support themselves. Even with the eligibility requirements for the tip credit under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act or FLSA, where employers can claim a “tip credit” of up to $3.02 per hour. It still can't keep up with average salaries that are lopsided and contribute to growing inequality in America compared to America's top CEO companies. “If the minimum wage kept pace with productivity gains, it would be around $20 an hour. Just 30 years ago, the average pay gap between CEOs and workers was 59 to 1; last year, it rose to 361 to 1. The average CEO earns $13,940,000, while a minimum wage worker earns $15,080 – a gap of 924 to 1.” As suggested by OXFAM America, they suggest that low-wage workers are not benefiting from economic growth and productivity as they should, in addition to the problem that they may even reduce poverty and induce economic growth. They even claim that “Increasing from $290 a week to $600 a week would lift millions of families out of poverty. More than a quarter of the workforce – 40 million workers – would see a rise in wages.” Even suggesting raising the minimum wage to $15 to achieve these improvements. Some people may wonder “why can't they just ask for a raise?” or “just get a new job.” Many cannot risk losing their wages, or do not have time to look for a new job, or even fail or are denied a raise under these conditions. And most places benefit from adding more hours to their employees, without the added cost of hiring more employees making them short-term liabilities. But for these employees, these jobs are their asset and they can find no place to turn, suffering in these harsh conditions. Most lower-middle class economies, along with poll activists nationwide, believe raising the minimum wage will provide help not only for employees, but “would grow the economy and the modest increase would improve productivity of workers e-.