FAIR WAGE AMENDMENT
An Amendment
for a Fair Wage
Protecting the People's Right to a Fair Wage
ABOUT
Main Points of the Amendment
The Fair Wage Amendment is designed to guarantee a wage that covers:
housing, utilities, food, health care, education, transportation, and communications anywhere in the country.
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States design their own wage areas and determine wages for each area that meet those basic needs.
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Fair wage amounts will also be set for all other countries,
and only goods produced by a fair wage may be imported.
An Amendment for a Fair Wage
Section 1. The right of the people to a fair wage in exchange for their labor being necessary to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, neither Congress nor any state shall create or maintain any wage law which does not guarantee at least a fair wage. Further, no good or service shall be imported into the United States unless it has been produced at a fair wage in the country or area of origin.
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Section 2. A fair wage is defined as an amount that, if working full-time, meets the basic needs of one adult and any additional persons whose inclusion is determined by Congress to bring economic and quality-of-life benefits to the people.
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Section 3. Basic needs include: housing, utilities, food, health care, education, transportation, communications, and any other expenses determined by Congress to bring economic and quality-of-life benefits to the people. Any state may define additional expenses to be included in their state’s fair wage; inclusion of any additional expense shall be statewide.
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Section 4. In addition to the fair wage, Congress shall define minimum: legal holidays or commensurate floating holidays, sick leave, vacation leave, paternity leave, and any other wages or benefits determined by Congress to bring economic and quality-of-life benefits to the people. Any state may define additional legal or commensurate floating holidays or any additional form or amount of leave, but not less. Any additional benefits defined by the state shall be granted equally statewide.
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Section 5. Congress shall define the number of hours or days per week or month that constitutes full-time work. Part-time work shall pay an equivalent wage and include proportional benefits.
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Section 6. Each state shall define its wage area(s) and the wage amount for each area, which shall be submitted to the President for review and verification to ensure the fair wage standard is met. Wage amounts shall be adjusted annually to maintain a fair wage.
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Section 7. The President shall establish and maintain fair wage amounts for each country or area from which imports are allowed. The entities delivering the imports and receiving the imports shall both be liable for compliance.
Section 8. Within two years of ratification of this amendment, each state shall define and adopt wage areas, establish the fair wage amount for each area, and develop a plan for transitioning to a fair wage. The plan must achieve a fair wage, including defined benefits, within six years of ratification of this amendment. Within two years of ratification of this amendment, the President shall define fair wage amounts for each country or designated international area. All imports shall be subject to the fair wage six years after ratification of this amendment.
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Section 9. In accordance with this amendment and basic right, Amendment XIII, Section 1 is modified to to state: “Neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude, nor indentured servitude shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”, striking: “, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,” and including indentured servitude.
Section 10. In accordance with the basic right of the people to peaceably assemble, the right of the people to assemble regarding their labor shall not be infringed.
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WHY A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT?
People have a basic right to earn a living, everywhere.
A Fair Wage is a Basic Right
A person working full time should be able to pay their bills and eat. It shouldn't be a choice. A right to work is a right to a fair wage.
Congressional Inaction
Congress acts too slowly on increasing wages. Every time an increase is discussed, it takes so long to achieve that Americans remain behind.
Costs Rise, Wages Don't
Wage laws don't include an annual increase after reaching a specific number. But costs don't stop rising. Some workplaces give cost-of-living increases. More do not.
Imports & Treaties
Abusive or slave labor overseas is also unacceptable. An amendment legally overrides all treaties to ensure a fair wage on imports.
About the Author of the Amendment
The Fair Wage Amendment was written by an Oregon resident and father of two, Ryan Pederson.
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, works as an Analyst, and has volunteered in local government for over 10 years.