It actually has nothing to do with morality, in all honestly.

I mean, morality is lovely. I think we should all try to be better to each other. But your entire argument here is based on a faulty premise; namely, that morality is the only good reason to pay a higher wage, or that morality is the lynchpin of my own argument.

In reality? Paying a living wage makes good economic sense. The fact that it lets people, e.g., not starve to death is actually just a bonus.

Do the right thing and create a functioning economy? Sign me up.