Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry calls for 1.9% increase in minimum and award wages
13 Mar 2018 | Archive
An increase of up to 1.9% in the minimum wage and award wages, consistent with the current rate of inflation, is reasonable as our economy begins to show some signs of improvement, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (“Australian Chamber”) said today.
The Australian Chamber made the comments in advance of its submission to the Fair Work Commission’s latest wage review process.
“Employers recognise the need for wages to rise as the cost of living rises”, Australian Chamber CEO, James Pearson, said today.
“But for businesses to be able to stay open and retain employees, the right balance has to be met.
“Businesses impacted by the minimum wage and award wages decision include small and medium businesses with lower profit margins, many with higher wages and salaries as a proportion of total expenses and lower survival rates.
“Award-reliant sectors such as retail are facing intense competition from the online, global market.
“The current reality is that growth in the economy remains patchy and below-trend.
“For example, where government spending has been a key driver of growth lately and rose by a further 1.9% in the December quarter, in contrast private demand was weak rising only 0.1% in the quarter.
“It is important that we see the economy rebalance away from the public sector and more toward private enterprise so we can see productivity, jobs and incomes increase over time.
“It’s hard to understand why the union movement demands an unrealistic 7.2% increase in minimum wages when they know the tough conditions that small businesses face.”
The Australian Chamber’s submission to the 2017-2018 Annual Wage Review can be accessed here.
Related News
Superannuation amnesty – Giving everyone a fair go
14/06/2018
An amnesty announced by the Federal Government to allow employers who have missed superannuation payments to catch up, so affected employees don’t miss out on...
Australian Chamber – Westpac Survey of Industrial Trends Q2 2018
12/06/2018
The 2018 outlook for Australian manufacturing continues to be positive, according to the latest Australian Chamber-Westpac Survey of Industrial Trends shows. The June 2nd Quarter...
Action on apprenticeships at last
8/06/2018
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the news that five States and Territories have signed on to the Federal Government’s apprenticeship-focused national partnership...
Collaboration key to strengthening the Economy
4/06/2018
Stronger profits are driving jobs and wage growth in data released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics today. However the Australian Chamber of Commerce and...
Increase to Minimum Wage Puts Jobs in Small Business At Risk
1/06/2018
Small business risks being pushed further out of the economy by the Fair Work Commission’s decision today to lift minimum and award wages by 3.5%...
New Tools to Revolutionise International Trade
29/05/2018
A new system unveiled today to link supply chain information through blockchain technology will revolutionise international trade by removing complexity. PwC Australia, the Australian Chamber...
C’MON AUSSIE C’MON: 19th place is not good enough: reform needed to reclaim Australian competitiveness
24/05/2018
“The small improvement in Australia's competitiveness ranking – from 21st to 19th - is welcome,...
ACTU Wrong on Job Security
21/05/2018
The latest claims by the ACTU that 40% of Australians are in insecure work are false and misleading, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry...
Labor’s Approach to Budget and Fiscal Policy – Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry response
17/05/2018
The Labor Party’s recognition of the need to pay down debt and for a buffer...
Information key to future of Higher Education
16/05/2018
The 2017 Student Experience Survey released today, provides much-needed insights into the experience of students in our higher education system and serves as a reminder...
Australian Chamber welcomes Government's response to China's draft cyber supervision laws
10/05/2018
“On behalf of Australian industry, the Australian Chamber welcomes the Australian Government’s response to China's draft cyber supervision laws," Australian Chamber CEO, James Pearson, said today. “We...
Some Good News In Budget for Tourism
8/05/2018
The Australian Chamber – Tourism welcomes measures in the Federal Budget 2018 that support tourism growth. Executive Chair, John Hart said “the Government has invested...
Heading In The Right Direction – But More Ambition Needed
8/05/2018
The Federal Budget 2018 is heading in the right direction but business would have liked more ambition for long-term budget repair and decreased reliance on...
Budget 2018 should be about more than tax & the next election
3/05/2018
Australia’s leading business voice, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says that employers will look beyond the headlines on tax when assessing next week’s...
Business rejects ACTU’s attempt to scapegoat temporary migrants
3/05/2018
The leading voice of business in Australia, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, rejects the ACTU’s attempt to scapegoat temporary migrants, and stoke the...
Australian Chamber welcomes US steel tariff exemption
1/05/2018
The decision by the US Government to exempt Australia from its steel and aluminium tariffs is welcomed by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry....
Cooperation not litigation is the key to productive workplaces
1/05/2018
The Labor Party’s proposal to give the Fair Work Commission more powers would see unions applying for orders to compel employers to accept their demands if...
Time for the ACTU to face facts
27/04/2018
For the ACTU to claim today that it is standing up for the independence of the Fair Work Commission shows either ignorance or conceit. It’s...
Apprentice health and safety to take centre stage on World WHS day
27/04/2018
Saturday, 28 April is World Day for Safety and Health at Work, and Workers’ Memorial Day. It is a day to promote safety and health in...
Australian Chamber supports push to simplify workplace relations
27/04/2018
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes recognition the Australian workplace relations system is too complex by the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise...