[Australia] Prime Minister pushes for a wage increase for millions of low-paid workers

In Australia, millions of low-paid workers could benefit from another pay rise as the federal government advocates for a wage increase to help people with the cost of living burden, news.com.au reports.

The Albanese government has submitted a recommendation to the Fair Work Commission to award Australia’s lowest-paid workers a substantial increase.

Since the government took office in 2022, the minimum wage has increased by $143 a week,

A joint statement from Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth reportedly said that the commission set the minimum wage at $24.10 per hour or $915.90 per week last July, but that the government was now recommending further wage increases to provide a substantial real wage increase to Australia’s award workers.

An increase in the nation’s minimum wage would impact around three million workers, including cleaners, retail workers and early childhood educators.

“This position is both economically responsible and fair,” Mr Chalmers and Ms Rishworth said.

“It will ensure low-paid workers can get ahead as inflation moderates and real wages continue to grow across the economy.”

The government has yet to provide a figure for the increase, however, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has asked the commission to uplift the minimum wage by 4.5 per cent at the upcoming annual wage review.

A 4.5 per cent bump would increase the minimum wage to $25.18 per hour or $2143 a year to $49,770 for a full-time worker.

A decision on a new award is ordinarily delivered in June, with the new rate coming into effect on July 1.

Source: news.com.au

(Quotes via original reporting)

In Australia, millions of low-paid workers could benefit from another pay rise as the federal government advocates for a wage increase to help people with the cost of living burden, news.com.au reports.

The Albanese government has submitted a recommendation to the Fair Work Commission to award Australia’s lowest-paid workers a substantial increase.

Since the government took office in 2022, the minimum wage has increased by $143 a week,

A joint statement from Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth reportedly said that the commission set the minimum wage at $24.10 per hour or $915.90 per week last July, but that the government was now recommending further wage increases to provide a substantial real wage increase to Australia’s award workers.

An increase in the nation’s minimum wage would impact around three million workers, including cleaners, retail workers and early childhood educators.

“This position is both economically responsible and fair,” Mr Chalmers and Ms Rishworth said.

“It will ensure low-paid workers can get ahead as inflation moderates and real wages continue to grow across the economy.”

The government has yet to provide a figure for the increase, however, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has asked the commission to uplift the minimum wage by 4.5 per cent at the upcoming annual wage review.

A 4.5 per cent bump would increase the minimum wage to $25.18 per hour or $2143 a year to $49,770 for a full-time worker.

A decision on a new award is ordinarily delivered in June, with the new rate coming into effect on July 1.

Source: news.com.au

(Quotes via original reporting)