Record corporate profits, stagnant wages

As per the recent Economic Survey, #corporate profitability in FY24 soared to a 15-year high. But here's the catch — #employee wages have failed to keep pace.
Why the Disparity?
- Lower Corporate #Taxation - The government reduced corporate taxes a few years ago, with the expectation that it would boost wages and employment. Instead, the gains seem to have primarily increased shareholder wealth!
- Better Economies of Scale & #Consumerism - Companies are capitalizing on rising consumer demand and operational efficiencies, but the benefits are rarely trickling down to employees. Take, for example, still the wages at entry-level IT positions have remained stagnant for years!

The Employees: Stuck Between Rising Stress and Taxes
- Workplace #Stress: In many industries, working hours have increased, and employee stress levels are at an all-time high. Many top corporate leaders have openly advocated high working hours, much more than the statutory norms!
- #Tax Burden: There's been no significant relief on personal taxation for the salaried class in recent years, despite rising inflation and living costs. Almost no income can now escape from the government, every income is tracked!
- #Infrastructure Woes: Employees face daily struggles with inadequate public transport, traffic congestion, crumbling urban infrastructure, and gigantic corruption!

#Budget Expectations -
With the FM set to present the next budget tomorrow, employees have high hopes for some Tax relief and Meaningful investments to address basic infrastructure issues that affect daily life.

The situation brings us to an interesting #paradox - are we unknowingly getting stuck in a 'work-invest-work loop'?
👉 We work to earn money, only to invest it in markets, hoping that the capital will work for us.
👉 As the capital grows faster than our average salary hike, we push ourselves even harder, aiming for better hikes.
👉 A better hike enables us to invest more, and the cycle repeats—trapping us in a never-ending loop.

Hopping the budget lays the path to breaking this loop!