Unions call for seven per cent rise to minimum wage

The Fair Work Commission has begun its Annual Wage Review of the minium wage for 2022–23.Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday revealed that the national annual rate of inflation was 7.4 per cent, down from 8.4 per cent in December. But wages in Tasmania are growing at just 3.6 per cent a year. Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday has backed the Australian Council of Trade Unions claims for a seven per cent increase to the national minimum wage, which stands at $21.38 per hour or $812.60 per week. “We’re really clear that seven per cent is what we’re asking for,” she said. “That’s what workers need. If it seems big, put it against inflation and it’s not big at all.“This is what workers need to keep their heads above water. It shouldn’t be a radical proposition that workers don’t go backwards — they’ve been going backwards for too long. ““They’ve been getting more productive, but going backwards.:Ms Munday said a long period of low wage growth had dampened expectations — particularly under state government wage policies delivering just two per cent per year. “The government will often say we have the highest wage growth in the county — and it will be 0.2 per cent higher than the national growth — which is itself half of inflation. “Our work has been undervalued here for a long time. We’ve been conditioned to expect low wage increases no matter what. “Fifteen years ago rises of four per cent were common. Somehow over the last decade or so two per cent has become the flavour.”Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey urged a lesser increase.“The National Wage Case mainly reflects what’s happening in Melbourne and Sydney, and doesn’t usually reflect what’s happening in regional Tasmania in particular.,” he said. “The TCCI supports a sensible pay rise, but a seven per cent increase, as some have suggested would devastate businesses in Tasmania. “Businesses would either have to increase prices or reduce the number of employees. “If the rise is too big, it risks locking in higher inflation, which would lead to higher mortgage rates and a higher cost of living.”The national minium wage is decided by an expert panel of the Fair Work Commission.A decision will follow submissions from interested groups and consultation in May. Last year's decision delivered a 5.2 per cent rise.NED-7429 Mercury Bannerdavid.killick@news.com.au

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March 30, 2023 at 11:30PM
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The Fair Work Commission has begun its Annual Wage Review of the minium wage for 2022–23.Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday revealed that the national annual rate of inflation was 7.4 per cent, down from 8.4 per cent in December. But wages in Tasmania are growing at just 3.6 per cent a year. Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday has backed the Australian Council of Trade Unions claims for a seven per cent increase to the national minimum wage, which stands at $21.38 per hour or $812.60 per week. “We’re really clear that seven per cent is what we’re asking for,” she said. “That’s what workers need. If it seems big, put it against inflation and it’s not big at all.“This is what workers need to keep their heads above water. It shouldn’t be a radical proposition that workers don’t go backwards — they’ve been going backwards for too long. ““They’ve been getting more productive, but going backwards.:Ms Munday said a long period of low wage growth had dampened expectations — particularly under state government wage policies delivering just two per cent per year. “The government will often say we have the highest wage growth in the county — and it will be 0.2 per cent higher than the national growth — which is itself half of inflation. “Our work has been undervalued here for a long time. We’ve been conditioned to expect low wage increases no matter what. “Fifteen years ago rises of four per cent were common. Somehow over the last decade or so two per cent has become the flavour.”Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey urged a lesser increase.“The National Wage Case mainly reflects what’s happening in Melbourne and Sydney, and doesn’t usually reflect what’s happening in regional Tasmania in particular.,” he said. “The TCCI supports a sensible pay rise, but a seven per cent increase, as some have suggested would devastate businesses in Tasmania. “Businesses would either have to increase prices or reduce the number of employees. “If the rise is too big, it risks locking in higher inflation, which would lead to higher mortgage rates and a higher cost of living.”The national minium wage is decided by an expert panel of the Fair Work Commission.A decision will follow submissions from interested groups and consultation in May. Last year's decision delivered a 5.2 per cent rise.NED-7429 Mercury Bannerdavid.killick@news.com.au