Prices keep going up, and making ends meet is growing more and more difficult. Luckily for some workers, with the new year they’ll also see a hike in the minimum wage. Join ICRT’s Jane, Hope and Tim as they discuss how the government is taking steps to alleviate the pain of inflation. ⠀⠀ ICRT Break Down is a fun and relaxing podcast to help you build your English vocabulary, and improve your understanding of common expression in the news. So, join us with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. Just sit back, relax, and listen! ⠀⠀ 百物騰貴，薪水變薄，生活越來越不容易。不過領基本薪資的勞工，至少從明年開始，會看到他們的收入上揚超過百分之四。 請加入 ICRT 的 Hope, Jane and Tim 在「新聞說分明」播客節目，討論政府採取了哪些行動來減緩通貨膨脹帶來的痛苦。 ⠀⠀ ICRT「新聞說分明」是輕鬆有趣的播客節目，不但增進對某項新聞事件的了解，同時順便學一點英文表達方式。 端一杯咖啡或是好茶，來聽聽新聞說分明。 ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ Vocabulary—Minimum Wage Hike Wage 薪水 A: The Ministry of Labor is raising minimum wage again. 勞動部又要調高基本薪資了。 B: How much will the hourly pay be? 時薪會變成多少? A: 176 NT an hour. B: Good! That means I can earn 26,400 NT a month. 真好，那表示我一個月可以賺兩萬六千四百塊 A: Is that enough for you? 那樣就夠了嗎? B: Yeah, work-life balance, remember? 夠了，工作和生活要平衡，記得嗎? ⠀⠀ Raise 調升 New data released by Salary.com found that the median pay increase of 4% is continuing an upward trend that began in 2022. 專門研究薪資的網站發表新資訊，(美國的)調薪幅度平均百分之四，顯示從去年開始的薪資上漲趨勢仍然持續。 ⠀⠀ Subsistence 基本生計 The salary they earn means they can only maintain a subsistence lifestyle. 他們所賺的薪水讓他們只能維持最基本的生活型態。 ⠀⠀ Paycheck to paycheck 從一張薪水單到下一張 Many people are living paycheck to paycheck due to inflation, while wage growth fails to keep pace. 很多人因為通貨膨脹而過月光族的生活，薪水調漲根本追趕不上。 ⠀⠀ White collar 白領階級、Blue collar 藍領階級 Blue-collar workers often do manual labor and are usually paid by the hour, while white-collar workers can be found in office settings in administrative or management roles. 藍領工作者通常做體力勞動的工作，並且領時薪。白領工作者多半待在辦公室，從事行政或是管理的角色。 ⠀⠀ Freelance 自由業 Many students began freelance jobs when they were in college. 很多學生在上大學時，開始自由接案的工作。 ⠀⠀ Stagnant 停滯的 Our workers’ salaries have remained stagnant for more than 10 years now. 我們的員工薪水已經有十年時間停滯不前了。 ⠀⠀ Alleviate 減輕 Is there any way to alleviate their pain? 有沒有辦法減輕他們的痛苦? No, there’s none. 沒有辦法