Fair Work Commission approves rise in minimum wage

Australia's lowest-paid workers will get a $24-a-week pay rise from next month ((july)) after the Fair Work Commission agreed to increase the minimum wage. The unions have broadly welcomed the commission's decision as a good step toward workers earning a decent living.

Source: AAP

The Fair Work Commission has set the new minimum wage at $719.20 a week, or just under $19 an hour.

 

While that figure is well below the 7.2 per cent increase the unions wanted, the 3-and-a-half per cent increase is well above inflation.

 

The ruling means a real rise in wage growth for 2.3 million of Australia's lowest-paid workers.

 

Fair Work Commission president Justice Iain ((EE-un)) Ross says, compared to this time last year, economic indicators now point to a healthy national economy and labour market.