JALSA Submits Testimony in Support of An Act Relative to the Minimum Wage

September 26, 2023

Dear Chairs Jehlen and Cutler:

The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) is a membership-based non-profit organization based in Boston, with thousands of members and supporters statewide. Guided by Jewish teachings and values, we are devoted to the defense of civil rights, the preservation of constitutional liberties, and the passionate pursuit of social, economic, environmental, and racial justice for all people.

I am also proud to be a member of the Steering Committee of Raise Up Massachusetts, a statewide coalition of more than 100 community organizations, faith-based groups, and labor unions that led the past two campaigns to raise the state's minimum wage, from $8 in 2014 to $15 today.

JALSA, and the entire Raise Up coalition, strongly support of S.1200, An act relative to raising the minimum wage closer to a living wage in the Commonwealth / H.1925, An act relative to the minimum wage.

The economy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is strong enough that not only should a worker be able to support themselves with one job, but it is immoral for our government to not set up our workforce to have that solid foundation for success. After all, as Leviticus 19:13 exhorts, “You shall not exploit your neighbor… you shall not withhold the wages of your laborer.” Unfair wages are a form of exploitation, and raising the minimum wage is a vital protection against that.

As the cost-of-living increases, our diligent workers need and deserve a raise to keep up – and that begins with raising the minimum wage and indexing it to inflation. If we truly believe that Massachusetts enjoys – and should continue to have – a world-class workforce, we must ensure that no worker lives in poverty or cannot meet their needs. Further, low-wage public workers like public school personnel including teachers’ aides and cafeteria employees, currently not covered by the minimum wage, deserve the same minimum wage protections as all other workers. As Deuteronomy 24:14 admonishes, “Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy.”

Fair wages, including a fair minimum wage, allow workers to maintain a basic quality of life that will allow them to meet their needs, be there for their families, pursue their goals, and live full lives. It would be immoral for the Commonwealth to fall short of this fundamental value. And as we've seen over the last few years, a rising minimum wage goes hand in hand with economic growth, job creation, and low unemployment. Raising the minimum wage makes us all better off by supporting a healthy, vibrant economy, not one built on keeping people in poverty.

JALSA strongly urges the members of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development to report S.1200, An act relative to raising the minimum wage closer to a living wage in the Commonwealth / H.1925, An act relative to the minimum wage favorably out of committee.

Sincerely,

Cindy Rowe
President and CEO
Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action