Living Wage rise welcomed

Date: 01 May 2000

The ACTU has welcomed today's decision by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission on the ACTU's Living Wage application to increase the minimum wage by $15.

ACTU Secretary Greg Combet said the rise was a win for all low-paid workers, and would address the widening gap between award-dependent employees and those groups of workers who had achieved higher rates of pay.

"There are still far too many working people who are struggling to pay for the basics in life," said Mr Combet. "Casual and part-time workers, women, and people from non-English speaking backgrounds are among the lowest paid people in Australia - this rise will help them all.

"The decision supports the ACTU's argument on behalf of all low-paid Australians that the current minimum weekly wage of $385.40 is just not enough. The decision also shows how out of touch the Government and employers are with the genuine needs of working people. The Government offered a miserly $8 increase, and the major employer group ACCI argued against any increase at all.

"Only the State Labor Governments supported the ACTU's case. It is only fair and reasonable that low-paid workers benefit from the fruits of economic growth - especially when company executives are receiving pay increases of up to 20 per cent.

"This is a win by unions for those Australians who would otherwise have little power to better their lives. The Living Wage case is one of the ACTU's top priorities. "

The increase of $15 will boost the minimum wage from $385.40 to $400.40. The ACTU argued for an increase of $24 when submissions were heard in March.

Over the past four years the ACTU, through its Living Wage claims, has secured total wage rises of $51 for low-paid workers despite opposition from employer groups and the Government.

For further information

Contact:	ACTU Media Office: Brenda Finlayson
Union:	ACTU
Phone:	(03) 9663 5655
Fax:	(03) 9663 4051
WWW:	http://www.actu.asn.au/

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