American workers Quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt
“No business which depends for existence on paying *less than living wages* to its workers has any right to continue in this country... By living wages, I mean more than the bare subsistence level - I mean the wages of a decent living.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Fireside Chat on Labor, United States, 1938
A company that pays workers below a decent living standard lacks moral legitimacy and should not operate.
In simple terms: Businesses paying low wages lose their right to exist.
Key Takeaway
Demand fair pay for workers.
Themes
ethics
economics
labor rights
Mood
concerned
determined
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy advocacy
- union negotiations
- consumer choices
- business audits
Key Concepts
living wage
social justice
corporate responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can businesses balance profit and fair wages?
- What policies ensure living wages without harming jobs?
A Different Perspective
Higher wages may increase costs and affect competitiveness.
