United Voice News
Minimum wage increase: relief for low paid workers
Low-paid workers around Australia are relieved by today's Fair Work Australia decision to increase the minimum wage by $26 per week.
Louise Tarrant, National Secretary of LHMU, one of Australia's biggest unions says "This is a fair if modest decision.
"A $26 a week increase of the minimum wage to $569.90 per week means low paid workers can breathe a sigh of relief after a 21 month wage freeze.
"Workers on the minimum wage bore the brunt of the global financial crisis in Australia.
"In the last 21 months while the cost of living rose by 5.4%, wages of working Australians relying on the minimum wage were frozen: every day workers have lost a little more, gone backwards a little more.
"Today's increase recognises that loss and restores the real value of the minimum wage.
"Any employer contemplating objecting to this increase should remember that this is about workers being paid a reasonable wage for their work. It's about catching up, rather than a windfall.
"LHMU members work in a wide range of industries like aged care, childcare, cleaning, health, hospitality, manufacturing and security.
"Many do not have access to enterprise bargaining to increase their minimum award wages. They have been waiting for today's decision and while not ecstatic, they are certainly relieved,” says Louise Tarrant.
