This month, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) announced a historic wage increase of 8.6% for those on the minimum wage and 5.75% for those on award wages.
This is the largest increase to minimum and Award wages in Australia’s history (coming into effect 1 July), and unions had campaigned hard for an increase that will help workers stay afloat during this cost-of-living crisis.
While this increase will be welcome relief for some of Australia’s lowest paid workers, we also know big businesses and banks have been posting record profits this year.
With inflation still on the rise, we will need strong workplace protections to ensure secure jobs, stamp out wage theft and close labour-hire loopholes so pay and conditions are not driven down while big businesses continue to profit off the backs of workers.