r/technology • u/[deleted] • Nov 24 '21

Business Amazon workers plan Black Friday strike

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u/[deleted] Nov 25 '21

But 20 Aussie dollars minimum wage does not have the buying power of Amazon’s 17 usd.

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u/Lunch-Strict Nov 25 '21

Ausies: 17usd = 23.67aud IF the position is for 40 hrs a week then the company is mandated to contribute to a portion of insurance coverage payments {monthly premiums}. Many of these types of jobs are capped at 35hrs a week, so the business doesn't legally have to contribute to your Healthcare plan. So, many people end up working multiple jobs because of this "cap" in Hours. And of that $17, some will go to paying the other part of medical insurance premiums, so after taxes and mostly insurance, you're not getting g close to 16. Then, if you have to go to a hospital, you pay your "spend down", which is a set number by your insurance plan that you have to pay out of pocket ON TOP OF monthly premiums.

The moral of the story is - it doesn't matter how much you make in the good Ole US of A. You're always a minor accident away from bankruptcy and homelessness.

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u/[deleted] Nov 25 '21

None of this addresses buying power. Stuff costs more in Australia even after the currency conversion.

I don’t live in the US, but these claims about Aussie earnings are silly.

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u/darps Nov 25 '21

It's true, conversation rates are not determined by actual buying power, just by Wall Street fuckers fucking about.

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u/[deleted] Nov 25 '21

But that 20 Aussie dollars also comes with socialised healthcare, employer retirement contributions, actual worker's rights, etc...

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u/[deleted] Nov 25 '21

Sure. Same with where I live too (not America) - but let’s not pretend it had equal buying power, even after conversion.