Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms by injustice; who makes his neighbors work for nothing and does not give them their wages. Jeremiah 22:13
Everytime you shop it is important to keep in mind the way that your purchasing decisions affect workers. Even if you are not the employer you can still help ensure that working individuals receive a living wage. What is a living wage? According to Just Economics, it is the minimum an employee must earn to provide their basic necessities without public or private assistance.
Think about where you shop. For gifts and beautiful home decorations fair trade stores such as Ten Thousand Villages are fairly well-known. But what about when you shop for auto repairs, home improvements, landscaping, or when you dine out? Three cities/areas in North Carolina have lists of local businesses that pay a living wage. Shopping with these businesses whenever possible helps to support their workers. Click on any of the areas below to find a list of businesses in that area paying their workers a living wage.
The businesses listed in these living wage directories help create just and sustainable local economies so that we all can flourish. You can also support workers by joining Raising Wages NC on May 22 for a statewide lobby day at the North Carolina State Legislature. Make your voice heard by encouraging your representatives to support a raise for working families of North Carolina to $15 an hour. Free transportation from the Asheville, Greensboro, Charlotte, and Wilmington areas is available. Click here to sign up and reserve your seat.
As the old Sunday School song says ‘the wise folks build their house on a rock…’—the rock of God is justice in the form of a living wage. Build your house by supporting businesses that pay living wages.
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