Minimum wage decision today: award workers deserve a fair share of economic recovery
03 June, 2010 | Media Release
Today’s decision on the 2010 National Minimum Wages case must deliver a decent pay rise for the 1.4 million Australians who have suffered a wage freeze for almost two years as a result of the pay commission set up under WorkChoices.
Fair Work Australia will hand down its decision at 11am today (Thursday).
In its submission and at a public hearing last month, the ACTU argued that a resurgent Australian economy with forecasts of strong GDP and jobs growth over the next two years made the case for a decent rise to minimum wages even more compelling.
The ACTU’s claim is reasonable and economically responsible, said ACTU Secretary Jeff Lawrence.
But more importantly, a decent rise to the minimum wage was about fairness and equity in our society, he said.
“Last year, during the height of a global economic crisis, the living standards of Australia’s lowest paid workers went backwards,” Mr Lawrence said.
“They shouldered more than their fair share of the burden for helping the national economy through the downturn.
“This is in sharp contrast to the nation’s wealthiest mining magnates. Fortescue Metals Group’s Andrew Forrest saw his wealth increase by 78% last year to $4.2 billion and Clive Palmer boosted his wealth by 14%.
“It is essential that low-paid workers share fairly in the economic recovery by receiving a decent wage rise.
“It is also very important that the Government is able to proceed with its tax reforms so that all Australians share in the massive profits generated from the natural resources that belong to all of us.”
Contact Details
Mark Phillips
Ph: 0422 009 011
|
|
|
|
|