Decent wages and life for Denmark's fast food workers; Good example for some other countries to learn from
Living Wages, Rarity for U.S. Fast-Food Workers, Served Up in Denmark, https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/28/business/international/living-wages-served-in-denmark-fast-food-restaurants.html
The above 2014 article mentions that the Fast Food worker in Denmark:
* Is paid equivalent of US $20 an hour
* Has 5 weeks paid vacation
* Has paid maternity and paternity leave
* Has a pension plan
I (Ravi) added:
* Has free healthcare
A few days ago, I checked whether the above information is correct from a person who is knowledgeable about Denmark. He said that the info. is correct and that "the basic pension is more generous so that the pension contribution from the employer (which goes into a centrally managed fund) is less important." He added the following point:
* (Has) free education [See Note 1 at the end of this post for more info. on it.]
All of the above enable a fast food worker in Denmark to lead a decent life.
Some other thoughts of mine on the matter:
Over the past 3 to 4 years as I have read up on economic models of some countries of the world, including India, some countries in Western Europe, and the USA, it is Scandinavian welfare state system and social democracy, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_democracy, that have emerged as the model that has been admired by many. I think in this early 21st century, Scandinavian welfare state system and social democracy are a great example of a ****working**** and ****not insolvent**** economic model which provides a great deal of facilities and amenities to all, or virtually all, the people of their countries. That is a great achievement of Scandinavian countries.
Even Pakistan's Prime Minister, Imran Khan, spoke glowingly about Scandinavian achievements in this regard in a recent address to the people of Pakistan either as PM-elect or after he was sworn in as PM. He wanted Pakistan to learn from Scandinavia's example in this regard!
In India today, whether it is at union/federal level, or at state level, welfare schemes for the poor and lower middle class are absolutely vital to win elections. Despite there being quite some corruption in ruling circles in India over the past few decades, I think that the conditions of the poor and lower middle class have improved by leaps and bounds. But I don't have the figures to back my view. It is based on what I have seen and read over the past few decades.
Of course, workers in Indian fast food sector may be nowhere close to Danish fast food industry workers in terms of money earnings and facilities. But then India is a developing country with a lot of socio-economic challenges and a huge population of around 1.35 billion (2018 estimate). Denmark's population is 5.7 million (2018 estimate).
I should also mention that worker unions are quite powerful in India. The NYT article mentioned that unions are very powerful in Denmark, at least in the fast food industry in Denmark. The Knowledgeable-about-Denmark-Person (KDP) commented, "Not just in the fast food industry".
It is the unions in Denmark who virtually decide on the hourly rate to be paid to fast food workers there. The article mentioned that MacDonald's initially tried to run its business without co-operating with the unions there. It got hit by strikes and was forced to co-operate with the unions. KDP commented "working conditions are set through negotiation, and usually agreement is reached. Strikes are rare. IMO, MacDonald's asked for trouble if they tried to bypass unions US style."
Note 1:
(1) Sometimes students take up part time jobs to finance living expenses, sometimes in the service industries
(2) Denmark runs a large network of schools offering evening classes to enrich non-academics' lives and enable them to build new skills
Education is a key part of the Danish system.
The above 2014 article mentions that the Fast Food worker in Denmark:
* Is paid equivalent of US $20 an hour
* Has 5 weeks paid vacation
* Has paid maternity and paternity leave
* Has a pension plan
I (Ravi) added:
* Has free healthcare
A few days ago, I checked whether the above information is correct from a person who is knowledgeable about Denmark. He said that the info. is correct and that "the basic pension is more generous so that the pension contribution from the employer (which goes into a centrally managed fund) is less important." He added the following point:
* (Has) free education [See Note 1 at the end of this post for more info. on it.]
All of the above enable a fast food worker in Denmark to lead a decent life.
Some other thoughts of mine on the matter:
Over the past 3 to 4 years as I have read up on economic models of some countries of the world, including India, some countries in Western Europe, and the USA, it is Scandinavian welfare state system and social democracy, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_democracy, that have emerged as the model that has been admired by many. I think in this early 21st century, Scandinavian welfare state system and social democracy are a great example of a ****working**** and ****not insolvent**** economic model which provides a great deal of facilities and amenities to all, or virtually all, the people of their countries. That is a great achievement of Scandinavian countries.
Even Pakistan's Prime Minister, Imran Khan, spoke glowingly about Scandinavian achievements in this regard in a recent address to the people of Pakistan either as PM-elect or after he was sworn in as PM. He wanted Pakistan to learn from Scandinavia's example in this regard!
In India today, whether it is at union/federal level, or at state level, welfare schemes for the poor and lower middle class are absolutely vital to win elections. Despite there being quite some corruption in ruling circles in India over the past few decades, I think that the conditions of the poor and lower middle class have improved by leaps and bounds. But I don't have the figures to back my view. It is based on what I have seen and read over the past few decades.
Of course, workers in Indian fast food sector may be nowhere close to Danish fast food industry workers in terms of money earnings and facilities. But then India is a developing country with a lot of socio-economic challenges and a huge population of around 1.35 billion (2018 estimate). Denmark's population is 5.7 million (2018 estimate).
I should also mention that worker unions are quite powerful in India. The NYT article mentioned that unions are very powerful in Denmark, at least in the fast food industry in Denmark. The Knowledgeable-about-Denmark-Person (KDP) commented, "Not just in the fast food industry".
It is the unions in Denmark who virtually decide on the hourly rate to be paid to fast food workers there. The article mentioned that MacDonald's initially tried to run its business without co-operating with the unions there. It got hit by strikes and was forced to co-operate with the unions. KDP commented "working conditions are set through negotiation, and usually agreement is reached. Strikes are rare. IMO, MacDonald's asked for trouble if they tried to bypass unions US style."
Note 1:
(1) Sometimes students take up part time jobs to finance living expenses, sometimes in the service industries
(2) Denmark runs a large network of schools offering evening classes to enrich non-academics' lives and enable them to build new skills
Education is a key part of the Danish system.
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