THE BUZZ OF WAGES

SAI SRINIVAS VISWANADHA

Student of 4/5 B.A,LL.B. AU

In a quiet town, not very famous but very peaceful, there stood a medium-sized company called Bright Future Solutions. The name was big, but the building was small, just like the dreams of most people who worked there. Among the many employees, three men stood out - not because they were important, but because they were very different.

Their names were Raman, Joseph, and Karthik.

Raman was the oldest among them. His hair was half white, his spectacles were thick, and his advice was always free - even when nobody asked for it. He worked on Minimum Wage. He used to say, “Work is work. Salary is just a number that comes late every month.”

Joseph was in the middle, both in age and salary. He earned a Fair Wage. He believed in balance - balance between work and life, balance between effort and reward, and most importantly, balance between tea and sugar.

Karthik was the youngest, energetic, and always checking his phone. He earned a Living Wage, enough to pay rent, support family, save a little, and still complain that it was not enough.

Every day at 4:00 PM, the three of them met near the office staircase for their tea break. That staircase had heard more wisdom than the meeting room upstairs.

One afternoon, while stirring his tea very seriously, Raman said, “You know, in my time, we didn’t talk about Minimum Wage, Fair Wage, or Living Wage. We only talked about Any Wage.”

Joseph smiled. “Times have changed, Raman. Now wages have names, definitions, and arguments.”

Karthik laughed. “Arguments, yes! Especially at home.’’

Raman looked at Karthik and asked, “So tell me, young man, you earn Living Wage. Are you living happily?”

Karthik sighed dramatically. “I am living, sir. Happiness is on EMI.”

Joseph nearly spilled his tea laughing.

Raman nodded slowly. “That is the problem. Minimum Wage teaches survival. Fair Wage teaches stability. Living Wage teaches responsibility.”

Joseph added, “And discussion teaches understanding.”

That day, instead of complaining, they started discussing their lives honestly.

Raman spoke about how Minimum Wage made him careful. “I value every rupee. I waste nothing - not even office paper,” he said proudly.

Joseph shared, “Fair Wage gives me peace. I can plan, help my parents, and sleep without counting numbers.”

Karthik said thoughtfully, “Living Wage gives choices - but also pressure. Everyone thinks I am rich.” They laughed together.

Joseph said, “You know what is missing? Nobody talks to management properly. Everyone complains separately.”

Raman smiled wisely. “A problem discussed together becomes lighter. A problem carried alone becomes heavier.”

Encouraged by the conversation, they decided to speak to their manager - not to demand, but to discuss.

The next day, they met the manager together. Raman spoke with experience, Joseph with clarity, and Karthik with confidence. They explained how fair discussion about wages, workload, and growth could help everyone.

The manager listened. Truly listened.

A week later, something unexpected happened. The company introduced better transpar ency, skill-based growth plans, and small benefits - flexible hours, training programs, and perfor mance bonuses.

No one became rich overnight.

But everyone felt respected.

One evening, the three friends met again at the staircase.

Joseph said, “See? Discussion worked.”

Karthik smiled. “Yes. Even my stress is on discount now.”

Raman laughed and said, “I may still earn Minimum Wage, but now I have Maximum Peace.”

Just then, Karthik slipped slightly on the stair, but caught the railing in time. All three froze.

Then Raman said calmly,

“See? Living Wage, Fair Wage, Minimum Wage - but balance is free for everyone.”

They burst into laughter so loudly that the security guard thought a comedy show had started.