The state of New York will raise the minimum wage for all of its state employees to 15 dollars an hour, Governor Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday, becoming the first US state to set such a high rate for its public-sector workers, dpa reported. Cuomo said the increase will be implemented gradually, with state workers in New York City earning at least 15 dollars an hour beginning 2019 and those in the rest of the state by July 2021. "I believe that if you work hard and work full time, you should not be condemned to live in poverty," Cuomo said. "Yet millions of families nationwide continue to be left behind by an insufficient minimum wage - and it's time that changed." The current minimum wage in New York state is 8.75 dollars, which was increased from 7.25 dollars in 2013. The US federal minimum wage is currently 7.25 dollars. The decision to increase wages for public-sector workers follows a decision by New York state to set the minimum wage for fast food workers at 15 dollars an hour. Cuomo has proposed raising the minimum wage to 15 dollars across all industries in the state, which would have a direct impact on 2.3 million people statewide. New York state has a population of 19.75 million people with 8.4 million residents in New York City. According to the US Census Bureau, New York state's poverty rate stands at 15.9 per cent, while New York City's is at 20.3 per cent, both above the US national average of 14.8 per cent.
