Tuesday, March 13, 2018

ACTU – There’s never been a better time for a big pay rise

13 March 2018
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As working people struggle through a period of low wages growth the ACTU has put an argument forward for a substantial pay increase of $50 per week for people on the minimum wage.
It’s part of a long-term strategy to restore a living wage, with the peak body for working people wanting to bring the minimum wage up to 60 percent of the median wage.

A $50 per week raise would represent a 7.2 percent increase to the pay of Australians earning minimum wage, putting someone who works full-time on $744.90 a week.

ACTU Secretary Sally McManus will address a rally of people who work for the minimum wage in the cleaning industry shortly before making the submission to the Fair Work Commission in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Directly and through awards, the Fair Work Commission’s decision will affect around 2.3 million working people nationwide.

Quotes attributable to ACTU Secretary Sally McManus:

  • “With record low wages growth holding us back, penalty rate cuts kicking in and bills and rent rising faster than ever there has never been a better time for a big pay rise for Australians.”
  • “People should not work full-time and struggle to pay for the basics of life. We need to restore a living wage.
  • “Low wages growth is pushing our economy off course. It’s not just working people saying that – the Reserve Bank and Treasurer Scott Morrison agree.
  • “Our wages aren’t keeping up with key living costs like power and housing in a lot of areas, and it’s hurting working families.
  • “We need a substantial pay rise to lift up working people who are struggling.
  • “This will help put us on the path to a living wage where the minimum is 60 percent of the median wage in the long term.”


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