If we allow such a change, the states most likely to do so would be those with the largest share of low-wage workers.

In addition, many low-wage workers have two or three jobs to make ends meet.

Changes in the Canadian economy during the 1980's also hit hard at low-wage workers.

But the story here is not just about switching to low-wage workers.

So, if the bill passes the Senate, low-wage workers will be able to buy a little less food than they could 20 years ago.

"I think there's a lot more respect on the part of the business community" for low-wage workers, she said.

"I don't want to see a single job lost in this country, especially to nations with low-wage workers," he said.

Many low-wage workers have to work multiple jobs in order to make ends meet.

"They need to address the 75,000 low-wage workers who lost their jobs."

This is particularly important because low-wage workers face a greater risk of disability.