Final answer:
Wages are determined by supply and demand, individual qualifications, and laws, as well as factors like safety, automation, and union activities. Adjustments to wages in relation to productivity occur over time and are influenced by the overall economic climate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wages are determined by a variety of factors, including individual skills, education, training, and the economic activity in society. Factors such as supply and demand in the labor market, minimum wage laws, safety regulations, the introduction of automation, and the influence of labor unions all play significant roles. Wages may also be adjusted based on productivity levels, but such adjustments do not occur instantaneously due to practical challenges in measuring individual output, especially in modern, complex job roles. This interplay of factors also influences the availability of jobs, the standard of living, and fluctuations in the economy, ultimately impacting long-term economic growth.