“I understand the concerns that have been expressed about increasing the minimum wage at a time when business conditions is still not robust,’’ he told reporters after speaking to Boston-area business officials at a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce breakfast. “The Legislature may decide to change the terms and conditions of the policy. I’m going to leave it to the Legislature to ultimately decide about specific numbers and specific timing. I think that’s the Legislature’s responsibility.
“If you’re asking me, do I in principle favor an increase in the minimum wage over time to a higher level than it is currently, the answer is, I do.’’
Similarly, he said, a proposal that would require most Massachusetts businesses to offer five to eight paid sick days would help modernize the state’s workforce.
“The bottom line is the quality of our 21st century workforce and the ability to keep it going and to keep it productive is going to be determined in large measure by the quality of life that people are able to enjoy,’’ he said. “I do support in principle paid sick days, even though I might disagree with some of the numbers.’’
Paid sick days and minimum wage hikes have been slammed by retailers and small business groups as burdensome mandates that could cost jobs or derail a fragile economic recovery.
Last week, Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, called a $10 minimum wage “too aggressive.’’
Earlier in the month, William Vernon, president of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Federation for Independent Business, said mandatory paid sick days could cost thousands of jobs, diminish profits, and harm productivity.