Qld: Lowest-paid receive pay rise from Sept 1

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2009
Qld: Lowest-paid receive pay rise from Sept 1

BRISBANE, Aug 21 AAP - Queensland's lowest-paid workers are set to receive a $16.20
a week pay rise from September 1, after a decision by the industrial umpire.

While unions argued for a $27.80 a week rise, and employers wanted a freeze, the Queensland
Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) on Friday ordered a flat-rate increase of $16.20
in the state's minimum wage and all award rates and an increase in allowances of 2.5 per
cent.

The decision received a cautious welcome from unions, which warned that those relying
on the minimum wage continue to lag behind workers with bargained wage outcomes.

The decision will see the Queensland minimum wage rise to $568.20 a week from September 1.

Queensland Council of Unions general secretary Ron Monaghan said workers relying on
the minimum wage were mainly women in casual jobs working for small businesses in non-unionised
workplaces.

"We estimate there are around 1.3 million such workers throughout Australia in industries
such as child care, hospitality and cleaning," Mr Monaghan said.

Mr Monaghan said the rise was a "reasonable outcome", given the rise in the cost of
living and the economic situation over the past 12 months.

Industrial Relations Minister Cameron Dick said the rise was economically responsible.

"The decision provides a reasonable increase to Queensland's lowest paid workers during
tough economic times," Mr Dick said.

The increase applies to up to 170,000 workers who are employed by non-corporations
and who are reliant on an award for their wages, as well as workers who do not have any
coverage by an industrial award or agreement.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland director David Goodwin said the decision
was unreasonable and would lead to further job losses.

"Queensland businesses are experiencing severe financial difficulties with a number
of businesses already laying off staff or considering further reducing staff numbers,"

he said.

"It was not unreasonable to freeze wages for the next year in a measure to protect jobs."

AAP pjo/jl

KEYWORD: WAGES QLD WRAP

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