The argument against minimum wage is on the one hand is complex, yet on the other it’s pretty easy to understand.
The positions on the low end of the scale are generally the ones that do not require much education nor much skills. If any training is required it is usually basic and can be provided by the employer on the job.
As such they are considered “entry level jobs”.
They are available for teens looking for summer work, college kids who want to work their way through college, or people without training who wish to jump right into the workforce.
For those that have not had the ability to get training be it in school or expensive courses they are practically the only way to get a foot into the company.
More so no employer in good conscience will pay these workers more then a minimal salary since they have no skills to speak of.
Now for those who only wish a summer job it’s fine.
But what about those that need to support themselves or a family?
Well the thinking goes that once they have gained entry to a company and have a job then by dint of hard work and conscientiousness they will work themselves up, so while they may start at an entry level position they will wind up at one far better.
However if the entry level position is unavailable they have no way of getting hired in the first place.