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Student workers are feeling “shock, fear and anxiety” as a recent UCP cut to youth minimum wage rolls out across the province, leaving the future of their earnings uncertain.

The UCP touted the decision — which made it legal for employers to pay students aged 17 and under $13 per hour instead of $15 starting June 26 — as a means to ensure employers can hire more youth.

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But youth support workers say the decision doesn’t acknowledge the “difficult realities” many vulnerable youth face and extinguishes hope many have in finding a job to support themselves or their families.

“If they are limited by this wage cut, it’s not appealing for youth to even find a job,” said Amanda Van Huenen, employment co-ordinator at Youth Empowerment & Support Services (YESS), on Friday. “They are asking what am I going to pay for with this? Or what can I even do with $13 an hour?”

YESS, which works with more than 750 youth ages 15 to 21 annually, saw youth increasingly reach financial independence when the minimum wage increased to $15 per hour under the former NDP government. Now, they say the youth, many of whom are experiencing homelessness, substance abuse and mental health issues, feel “defeated.” It’s a “kick in the face,” said Van Huenen.