I think there is some confusion about what wages McDonald's pays in different countries round the globe. McSpotlight readers are assuming the wages paid in the UK are typical of those paid by McDonald's around the world. In fact, the wages paid by a large company will be typical of the wages in the food service industry in that country. The judge noted that crew in the UK have wages starting from around 1.99 pounds UK. In Australia, which is still a high-waged country thanks to the strong union movement plus a pseudo-socialist wage fixing system, crew are paid triple this, with overtime rates being generous. If you are looking for the agent which helped reduce the wages and thus living standards of many Britons, look no further than Margaret Thatcher and her Tory Government. Let us reflect on who it was that kept returning her government with big majorities. Not a global corporation - it was the British voter. With a lack of compulsory voting, the less organised groups in society have to be the losers.
By the way, the current unemployment rate in the UK is around 5% as compared to around 2.5% in the US (where people can be obliged to work for almost nothing if they are unskilled, illegal migrants or desperate). The better the wages and conditions enjoyed by the bulk of workers, the higher the unemployment rate, because employers pay higher wages to skilled workers, give them high technology tools and force them to work longer hours. Western nations are now finding that the deficits they are running to pay for this social welfare net are looking frightening. If McSpotlight readers can suggest a solution, please let us know - this is a very important issue, as social well being is so dependent on a prosperous existence for the majority of the population. The more wealth there is to go around at ALL levels, the more likely people are to follow ethical concerns such as animal liberation. But if the social welfare net is pulled away from under people, they WILL work for lower wages (and give surly service to the customer) and no progress will be made on pressing social issues.
The modern global economy is very complex, and it is simplistic to single out one large corporation and act as if the evils of the world are created just by one company.
Suggestions and real solutions please, not just more whining which wastes time and simply boosts the profits of giant telecommunications and computer companies.
None.
