[PatentTroll]

Your conclusion lies on the assumption that rational economists must oppose any measure which decreases demand.

[hirundo]

This particular decrease of demand is of work hour and jobs, and thus an increase in misery of particularly vulnerable people. If an economist is both rational and compassionate, they would need to believe that such price fixing has benefits that outweigh the increased misery.

I'm not familiar with those offsetting benefits. If they exist, please enlighten me.