Employees certainly have a RIGHT to ask for higher wages. They do NOT have a RIGHT to higher wages.
Wal-Mart has long been criticized for its pattern of offering wages that force its workers to take advantage of public-assistance programs.
No one is forced to take advantage of public-assistance programs, and government intervention is what suppresses the economy such that better jobs are hard to find. We have to discard the notion that the government can force prosperity upon society. Prosperity must come from growth, which requires successful competition.
The Chinese and Irish immigrants who worked for railroads in the late 19th century have long since moved on to better opportunities. The reason that Wal-Mart is able to pay these low wages is 12% or 15% systemic unemployment. If business was booming and employment wasn't regulated in a manner which penalizes the employer, businesses would be scrambling to find workers and the competition would give workers the leverage to obtain higher wages and benefits. IF unemployment was at 3%, rather than current levels.
But more government regulation will only exacerbate this downward spiral.
You cannot ethically force someone else to pay you more. Free market transactions are voluntary - requiring a willing buyer and a willing seller.
Well, I believe that the ones who accepted Jesus moved on to better opportunities. The ones who rejected the Lord (including many Chinese immigrants) probably didn't fare so well.