单选题 The most likely effects of the imposition of an effective increase in the minimum wage include:

A. an increase in the real wage, gains in efficiency, and a decrease in inflation.
B. increased unemployment, and excess supply of labor at the new wage rate, and a decrease in economic efficiency.
C. a reduction in non-monetary labor benefits, excess demand for labor, and a shortage of highly skilled workers.

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】At a minimum wage above the equilibrium wage, there will be an excess supply of workers. Firms substitute other productive resources for labor and use more than the economically efficient amount of capital. The result is increased unemployment and a decrease in economic efficiency. Firms may decrease the quality or quantity of the non-monetary benefits they previously offered to workers.