The purpose of minimum wage is to establish a livable wage so that workers are able to get by. It was created to keep American workers out of poverty and increase their standard of living. Minimum wage allows workers who are working low paying jobs to have enough money to provide for themselves and their family. Before there was a minimum wage, American workers were being severely underpaid and could barely afford to take care of themselves. Establishing a minimum wage ensured that workers would not be underpaid and live in poverty. Workers would be payed on an hourly bases with the minimum wage amount as a starting rate. This would allow the workers to be sure they would have the bare minimum to survive. Minimum wage also called for equality
