The Australian Council of Trade Unions has urged Fair Work Australia to rule in favour of a proposed increase to the minimum wage.

 

The workforce tribunal is currently deliberating on a proposed $26 per week increase to minimum wage, which would equate to a 68c increase per hour in the minimum wage from $15.51 to $16.19 an hour.

 

“The Panel needs to remember that its priority must be to provide and maintain a fair safety net for the one in six workers who are dependent on award wages,” ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver said.

 

“It must reject any applications by employer groups that would cut the real wages of the low-paid to maximise business profits.”

 

Despite Government moves to protect those in the lowest income bracket, including moving the tax-free threshold to $18,000, minimum wages have continued to fall behind overall wages growth.