In this year's annual salary review, the Fair work Commission (Fair Work Commission) has increased its current A $18.29 an hour salary by 59 cents an hour, or 3.3 percent.
The commission's chairman, Iain Ross, said the increase would affect 2.3 million minimum-wage workers.
"the wage increase we decided on this time will not have any inflationary effects, nor will it have a negative impact on employers' recruitment and employment," Iain Ross said. "but this decision is for employees who rely on the national minimum wage," Iain Ross said. But it's a real help. With this wage increase, we believe we can help them improve their living standards. "
Still, the Ross acknowledges that such wage increases are not enough to lift all those on a minimum wage out of poverty, especially those with complex families, such as families with children to support, but only one person earning money at work. As a result, the commission hopes to change the attitudes of employers on the labour market towards those who are already on the brink.
Other organizations have also offered to the contrary. The Australian Retail Association said the decision could also contain the trend in job growth brought about by Sunday's fine-tax cuts.
Russell Zimmerman, chief executive of the Australian Retail Association, said: "all of our members are currently facing tremendous cost-consuming pressures that come not only from international competition, but also from the cost of upgrading technology. So we think this wage increase decision is a bad sign for all of our retailers and individuals. "
Business team groups in society have also made recommendations to the authorities, calling on them to "take care of containment". In their view, employees' wages should be increased, but not at the current 3.3% increase. In their opinion, the authorities should push for a more moderate rise, such as 1.5% or A $10 a week. Australia's largest business group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, suggested a lower rise, 1.2% or A $8 a week.
However, Sally McManus, director of the Australian Trade Commission, stressed that the gap between rich and poor is widening and that the existing national minimum wage for workers is well below the average wage level, so it is necessary to raise workers' wages.
"the situation is that Australians are getting less and less able to get sense of security in their jobs, and the cost of living is rising at the same time, but their wages are not going up with it," McManus said. Once wages are depressed, people will no longer have enough money to spend, and national economic growth will slow. "
But Mr Tan's government also has reservations about the resolution, noting that if workers' wages are raised but they do not lead to better productivity, it will lead to fewer jobs. A government spokesman said: "an excessive increase in the minimum wage makes it easy to reduce the number of jobs in these low-cost factories, in which young people are more vulnerable."
Among the many objections, the reason for the Australian trade union (Australian Unions) is the clearest.
Because.
They think the minimum weekly wage should be increased by A $45 instead of A $22!
