Minimum wage up $13 a week despite coronavirus recession
The minimum wage will rise this year by $13 a week despite calls from employer groups and the federal government to prioritise jobs and freeze the minimum wage.
Workers on the minimum wage will earn 1.75 per cent more, taking it to $753.80 a week for full time workers.
Fair Work Commission President Iain Ross has handed down the minimum wage decision.Credit:Pat Scala
About a quarter of the Australian workforce are either on the minimum wage or have their pay set relative to it.
Announcing the minimum wage decision, Fair Work Commission President Iain Ross said if wages were frozen it would "result in a real wage cut" that would hurt poor families and risk pushing some into poverty.
The rise will be staggered for different industries depending on how well they have endured the coronavirus-driven recession.
Pay for those on minimum-wage linked awards and agreements in education and health will go up on July 1, those in construction, manufacturing and other industries on November 1, and the hard-hit arts, entertainment and accommodation sectors will rise on February 1 next year.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions had called for a four per cent rise.
More to come.