If people are doing the same job, same amount of work and same hours then they should be paid the same, right? 

While it seems logical, in practice the youth wage is stopping under 16s from being paid fairly. 

For years, businesses have justified paying lower wages to young adults, citing their lack of experience or the need to remain competitive. They also state that it allows a greater opportunity for young people to enter the workforce.

While there is no minimum wage for those under 16, in a large business they typically earn the starting wage or training wage of $18.16 per hour.

Currently, the minimum hourly wage for all other workers is $22.70. That means that some of our counterparts are earning more than $4 less for doing the exact same job. 

Is it time to scrap youth wages? 

Youth wages, often set at a lower rate than adult wages, are a relic of a time when the value of youthful labour was underestimated. However, times have changed. Young workers today are often just as skilled and capable as their older counterparts. Their age should not serve as a justification for paying them less for equal work.

In a time where people are becoming increasingly vocal about discrimination whether it be gender, race or age, it’s surprising that the call to scrap youth wage hasn’t got more momentum. 

Paying youth a lower wage than other workers significantly impacts someone's value in their job. They’re not looked at for their capabilities, but rather are limited by their age. 

After tax, the youth hourly rate can feel like it is hardly worth having a job. 

Most businesses that pay the youth wage are big, national corporations that can easily absorb any increase in wages. Yet they keep getting away with paying staff very little. 

Scrapping youth wages would signal a shift toward a fairer, more equitable society.

It would send a powerful message that the value of an individual's work is not determined by age, but by their skills, qualifications and contributions.

Implementing equal pay for equal work, regardless of age, would foster a more inclusive and just work environment where everyone is recognized and compensated fairly for their efforts.

So next time you order a coffee or your takeaways from a young staff member in Central, take a moment to think about whether it’s fair that they are earning less than the 17-year-old next to them.