Member Login
ACTU wrong on wages
25 Jul 2018 | Archive
“It’s wrong for the ACTU to claim the wage setting system is failing working people,” Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO, James Pearson, said today.
“Wages set by the Fair Work Commission have risen by or above inflation during its 9 years of operation.
“These increases have seen Australia deliver one of the highest minimum wages in the world.
“The ACTU is cherry picking the inflation and wages data by comparing June inflation to March wages growth.
“The reality is that at the beginning of July this year almost a quarter of the workforce saw their wages go up by 3.5% as a result of the Fair Work Commission’s most recent wages decision.
“This is significantly higher than the increase in inflation.
“This means the current system is delivering sustained real wage increases.
“This puts real pressure on small businesses and job,” Mr Pearson said.
“Small businesses account for a large share of award wage employment in Australia.
“Some of the least resourced and most at risk businesses are asked to pay out more than they can charge their customers, year in and year out.
“Low inflation means that increases in minimum wages are real increases, but employers can’t pass on increases in a highly competitive market.
“Whilst inflation remains low, spikes in the cost of fuel and electricity hit businesses and households hard.
“Rather than passing these costs on, business are absorbing them,” Mr Pearson said.
“Over 60 percent of small business operators are finding it particularly tough, taking home less than $50,000 each year.
“The latest data also shows bargained wages in the private sector going up 2.8% – well above inflation. Annual wage growth (measured by the ABS Wage Price Index) across all forms of wage setting has exceeded prices growth 6 times in the past 8 quarters.
“If the ACTU wants to see even higher wage rises, they need to work with business to find ways to grow the economy, to help attract investment and sustainably deliver more well-paying jobs.”
Related News
ACCI Director joins Deregulation Taskforce
13/09/2019
The Australian Chamber is delighted to announce Bryan Clark, Director of ACCI Trade & International Affairs, has been appointed to the Government’s Deregulation Taskforce, announced...
Business welcomes Prime Minister's emphasis on workplace relations and skills
24/06/2019
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomes the Prime Minister’s commitment to review Australia’s Industrial Relations system...
International Visitors Survey continues to highlight positive growth story
19/06/2019
Australian Chamber – Tourism, the peak body of Australia’s tourism organisations, acknowledges the release of the International Visitors Survey today. The survey shows strong performance for...
Industrial sentiment bounces, conditions confirm a loss of momentum
18/06/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Westpac Survey of Industrial Trends for the June quarter 2019 released today, shows a slowing in manufacturing business...
Opinion Editorial | It's time to repair, not replace workplace rules
11/06/2019
By James Pearson With the final seats being declared in the federal election, the government and opposition frontbench teams in place and parliament set to...
Economic growth figures underline need to support business to invest and create jobs
5/06/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia’s largest and most representative business network, today expressed disappointment at the latest National Accounts figures showing lower...
Lower interest rates to boost small business investment
4/06/2019
The Reserve Bank Board’s decision to lower the cash rate to 1.25% today has been welcomed by Australia’s largest business network, the Australian Chamber of...
Business welcomes new Federal Shadow Ministry
3/06/2019
Australia’s largest business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, congratulates the new Labor Shadow Ministry on their appointments and welcomes Federal Opposition Leader Anthony...
Australian Chamber-Tourism congratulates The Hon. Simon Birmingham on his re-appointment as Tourism Minister
26/05/2019
Australian Chamber – Tourism, the national peak body of Australian tourism organisations congratulates Prime Minister...
Australian Chamber Welcomes New Federal Government Ministry
26/05/2019
The new Morrison Coalition Federal Government Ministry reflects the right mix of stability and progress for the Australian business community, Australia’s largest business network, the...
Australian Chamber congratulates Prime Minister Morrison and his Coalition Government on re-election
19/05/2019
Australia’s largest business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, congratulates Prime Minister Morrison and the Federal Coalition on its re-election to government. “The...
VALE THE HON ROBERT JAMES LEE HAWKE AC, GCL
17/05/2019
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia’s largest and most representative business network, today paid tribute to the life and achievements of The Hon...
Labor Tourism Policy welcomed by Australian Chamber-Tourism
16/05/2019
The Australian Chamber – Tourism, the national peak body of Australian tourism organisations supports Labor's Tourism Policy announced yesterday evening. The policy responds directly to a number...
Australian Chamber to call for 1.8% increase to minimum and award wages today in Melbourne
14/05/2019
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will today call on the Fair Work Commission to deliver a...
Australian Chamber response to Labor's costings
10/05/2019
Australia’s largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomes Labor’s commitment to deliver surpluses and pay down debt in...
Targeting lower power prices: increase competition not regulation
10/05/2019
The Coalition’s commitment to reduce power prices through increased supply and competition is a positive response to calls by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and...
Business welcomes R&D tax break for collaboration
8/05/2019
Australia’s largest network of businesses, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, welcomes Labor’s pledge today to boost the Research and Development (R&D) tax incentive...
Australian Chamber-Tourism welcomes Coalition's Tourism Policy
3/05/2019
Australian Chamber – Tourism, the peak body representing national tourism groups acknowledges the formal announcement of the Coalition’s tourism policy, which commits to the Beyond...
Tourism Satellite Accounts 2017-2018 highlight labour and skills needs in the visitor economy
1/05/2019
The Tourism Satellite Accounts for 2017-18 highlight the visitor economy as one of Australia’s strongest performers, defying the downward trend of many other parts of...
Industry-wide wage increases set and subsidised by government put small businesses under pressure
30/04/2019
Comments by Shadow Workplace Relations Minister Brendan O’Connor that Labor has “no plans” to subsidise pay rises for sectors beyond child care are welcomed by...
