I worked in bike shops for a few years. Most repairs are dead simple once you understand the basic principles, and the harder things are more often replace rather than fix (e.g., most bearings are sealed cartridge units now, bottom brackets are serviceable, etc.). But the last place I worked, I was making only a little over minimum wage. Maybe that’s survivable in the EU; it’s not in Chicago.
It’s not survivable in the EU. It’s just that you would qualify for government assistance whereas in the US you’re probably told to go live in a cardboard box. The problem is it doesn’t really fix the underlying issue which is that as soon as anyone is offered a better paying job they’ll disappear.
No one’s going to put in the effort to get certified if the job is known not to pay very well.
Don’t know about other countries, but in Germany, 72% (2023 numbers) of those who receive income support are officially employed. They just don’t make enough money to get by.
But don’t they know if they just hand out free money they’ll all just turn into freeloaders and stop working??? If all those poor people have money they’ll just go out and spend it all on drugs and hookers! Clearly Germany is failing smh my head. /s
Yeah, but how much are they going to pay them?
I worked in bike shops for a few years. Most repairs are dead simple once you understand the basic principles, and the harder things are more often replace rather than fix (e.g., most bearings are sealed cartridge units now, bottom brackets are serviceable, etc.). But the last place I worked, I was making only a little over minimum wage. Maybe that’s survivable in the EU; it’s not in Chicago.
It’s not survivable in the EU. It’s just that you would qualify for government assistance whereas in the US you’re probably told to go live in a cardboard box. The problem is it doesn’t really fix the underlying issue which is that as soon as anyone is offered a better paying job they’ll disappear.
No one’s going to put in the effort to get certified if the job is known not to pay very well.
there’s certification for bike repairing?
Indeed. In Germany, I believe it is a two year apprenticeship.
… What government assistance? You got a job, who’s going to be giving you assistance?
Don’t know about other countries, but in Germany, 72% (2023 numbers) of those who receive income support are officially employed. They just don’t make enough money to get by.
But don’t they know if they just hand out free money they’ll all just turn into freeloaders and stop working??? If all those poor people have money they’ll just go out and spend it all on drugs and hookers! Clearly Germany is failing smh my head. /s
This has to be the most American comment yet.
No longer in the EU but UK minimum wage is comfortably survivable in most of the country. Might be fucked in London though.