Workplace Express has reported that the ACTU will seek a 7% increase in this year's minimum wage review, pitching it just above the latest 6.8% rise in the CPI. The peak union body says the increase should apply to the national minimum wage and all award rates of pay, because those workers have suffered the biggest real pay cuts on record over recent years.

Workplace Express has reported that the ACTU will seek a 7% increase in this year's minimum wage review, pitching it just above the latest 6.8% rise in the CPI.

 

The peak union body says the increase should apply to the national minimum wage and all award rates of pay, because those workers have suffered the biggest real pay cuts on record over recent years.

 

A 7% increase would lift the minimum hourly rate from $21.38 to $22.88 and the minimum annual full-time rate by $2,966, lifting it to $45,337.28.

 

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke yesterday hinted the federal government will support an increase that matches inflation for workers on the national minimum wage and a lesser increase for those on higher award classifications. This may result in the government arguing for a tw0-tiered wage increase, that favours the lower paid.

 

Minister Burke went on to say, "The principles that we dealt with last year were to say – no Government ever wants anyone to go backwards, but last year we put forward the principle that the focus needed to be on the people on the lowest incomes because they had the least savings, they had the least room to move,"