BILL NUMBER: AJR 12	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Gatto

                        FEBRUARY 6, 2013

   Relative to minimum wage.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AJR 12, as introduced, Gatto. Minimum wage.
   This measure would call upon the President of the United States to
include raising foreign minimum wages in future treaties, trade
agreements, and other international protocols. It would also call
upon the Senate of the United States to decline to ratify these
agreements that fail to include these provisions.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, Unemployment remains too high in the United States, with
one significant cause being the "outsourcing" of quality trades,
manufacturing, and service industry jobs to nations where workers are
paid minuscule wages for their labor; and
   WHEREAS, In an age of "globalization," many American industries
have suffered due to competition from foreign employers who pay wages
well below the federal minimum wage; and
   WHEREAS, A standardized international minimum wage, or even a
staggered annual increase in foreign minimum wages, would ensure that
American workers and firms compete on a "level playing field" in the
global market; and
   WHEREAS, A rising minimum wage in foreign countries would raise
the standard of living for billions of people worldwide and would
open new markets to American exports; and
   WHEREAS, A guarantee of fair wages and employment rights would
curb the exploitation of workers; and
   WHEREAS, The advent of a minimum wage in developing countries
would eliminate the need for some American foreign aid and assist in
reducing poverty and creating more stable societies less prone
towards wars or terrorism; and
   WHEREAS, The United States has a long history of stimulating
beneficial policies abroad when negotiating treaties and trade
agreements, including, inter alia, demanding free elections,
protecting American patents, prohibiting nuclear testing, requiring
currency stabilization, and requiring environmental safeguards, as a
condition for peaceable relations, open trade, and robust commerce
with the United States; and
   WHEREAS, The United States is in a unique position to affect
global policies by utilizing its treaty powers to require foreign
nations to stop exploiting low wages for competitive advantage; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature respectfully calls upon the
President of the United States to include raising foreign minimum
wages in future treaties, trade agreements, and other international
protocols; and that the Senate of the United States Congress decline
to ratify such agreements that fail to include such provisions; and
be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United
States, to the Majority Leader of the Senate, and to the Chief Clerk
of the United States Senate, for distribution among members of the
United States Senate.