England bowler tells minimum wage workers to “#stay #humble”
England cricketer Stuart Broad has deleted a tweet that caused uproar on Twitter and issued a sort-of explanation.
Yesterday, Twitter erupted after the bowler tweeted: “I’ve heard if you earn minimum wage in England you’re in the top 10% earners in the world. #stay #humble.”
Twitter users were quick to call out hypocrisy, as the millionaire cricketer has never been on the minimum wage.
Stuart Broad, on minimum wage you’d barely be able to eat healthily and get to training. Forget having England kit too. #stayhumble
— DeathApeDisco (@DeathApeDisco) January 28, 2015
Stuart Broad’s minimum wage tweet proving he struggles to understand even the most basic differences in cost of living…
— Laura Blair (@heartsofsand) January 28, 2015
How much of a dick is Stuart Broad?
— Bek (@Redandblack91) January 28, 2015
After realising he’d offended many of his followers, Broad deleted the original tweet and tweeted: “Clarifying my earlier tweet, I merely wanted to emphasise my amazement at just how big the world is.
“No offence meant and sorry if any taken. The hashtag was aimed at myself.”
So, not an actual apology and not exactly an explanation either.
What was wrong with what he said?
Many of his followers defended him, saying the sportsman was pointing out a simple fact.
And they’re right – depending on what meaure you use, it’s technically correct to say simply in monetary terms, UK minimum wage earners are in the top 10% of the world.
However, it’s not as simple as that.
The cost of living in the UK is one of the highest in the world. For example, goods and services in New Delhi, India cost around 75% less than London.
An annual salary of £12,000 in the UK may leave workers struggling to pay bills and feed their children, while the same salary in most other countries would stretch further.
In fact, the minimum wage of £6.50 an hour is not even considered enough to cover the costs of living in the UK, which is why a campaign for a living wage of £9.15 an hour in London and £7.85 an hour in the rest of the UK is gathering steam.
People living on the minimum wage might argue #staying #humble is the least of their worries in today’s economic climate.
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