Late Stage Capitalism

Either because unions force them or because better jobs are available.

And you think removing minimum wage would cause unions to become stronger and better jobs be made available?

The market must be turned to the advantage of the workers.

This is done by forcing the capitalists to operate on our terms, not letting them exploit workers with even less regulation wtf?

Sub-livable doesn’t help. But if sub-mimimum wage comes with a better package, e.g. child care or health coverage or short commute, then it creates a livable competing option that forces Walmart to rise wages.

A company giving its employees expired food instead of money isn't going to make other companies increase wages.

With enough jobs nobody has to work for sub-minimum wage unless it’s to their advantage.

??? People are already forced to work for unsustainable wages and end up in debt or working while homeless.

It really feels like you started out with the assumption that capitalism is the best possible solution for everybody and then went backwards to figure out why this isn't matching observations.