Most jurisdictions, such as Canada and the United States, establish a minimum hourly rate of pay; a minimum wage.
For example, in the United States, employees are entitled to a minimum wage of not less than $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008; and $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009.
In Canada, minimum wage is set by the individual provinces. In Ontatrio, for example, as of March 2009, the minimum wage was $9.50, set to increase to $10.25 as of April 1, 2010.
The Ontario Employment Standards Act, at §23:
"An employer shall pay employees at least the prescribed minimum wage."
French: salaire minimum.
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