Zimmerman, executive director of the Australian Retail Association, opposes an increase in the minimum wage (Sydney Morning Herald).
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Fair work Council (Fair Work Commission) announced in its annual wage review that the minimum weekly wage in Australia was raised by A $22, or 3.3%, to A $694.90. Minimum hourly wage rose 59 cents to A $18.29.
The committee`s chairman, Ross (Iain Ross), said 2.3 million people across Australia were dependent on a minimum wage, a move that would benefit them.
"the rate of increase we have decided will not create inflationary pressure and is unlikely to have any significant negative impact on employment," Ross said.
Ross acknowledged that the increase would not be enough to lift all workers living on the minimum wage out of poverty, especially for families where children are not employed and only one person goes out to earn money.
(Australian Retailers Association), the Australian retailer`s association, said it was very concerned about the decision. The association said the decision would stifle job growth, a move that "counteracts the benefits" of the recent Sunday overtime pay cuts.
"companies continue to face significant cost pressures in the face of international competition and technological progress," said (Russell Zimmerman) Zimmerman, executive director of the association. Raising the minimum wage, he said, was "detrimental" to all businesses in the retail industry.
Trade unions have also expressed dissatisfaction with this. McManus (Sally McManus), secretary-general of (ACTU), the Australian trade union council, said the increase would not help lift people out of poverty. "the minimum wage is just over A $36,000 a year," she said. "it`s not enough to support individuals living anywhere in Australia, not to mention families."
Mr Tan`s (Turnbull) administration has advised the Fair work Commission that productivity could not support an increase in the minimum wage because of "slower economic growth and lower inflation", a move that would hurt jobs.
