Everyone Should Be Paid Subminimum Wage

Imagine receiving a five dollar check biweekly at your part-time job. Now, imagine if that job was the only employment opportunity you had. This scenario is typical for individuals with disabilities. After working for 3 hours, Jay, a man with a developmental disability, made $4.86 at subminimum wage workshop in Chicago. The minimum wage is $10.50 yet there are people making less than five dollars in the city. The city of Chicago must enact legislation that allows people with disabilities to have supported employment. With support, people like Jay can have a better paying job and wouldn't have to rely on subminimum wage workshops.

The Fair Labor Standards Act allows this unethical practice to be legal under Section 14(c) which approves segregated subminimum wage workshops that exploit disabled workers, paying some only pennies an hour for mundane work. The city of Chicago must recognize that individuals who can perform the essential functions of their jobs should be paid minimum wage, regardless of whether they have a disability.
For example, a person with disabilities may have someone working the same shifts as them to keep them on track. It can also be someone, such as a job coach, visit their site once a week. Obtaining long-term and competitive employment would be achievable by a person with disabilities with the right support. The report, Sheltered vs. Supported Employment, found workers with disabilities in traditional jobs paired with support services earn two to three times more than their counterparts in sheltered work. Addtionally, they maintained their job for a longer period of