The FWC's annual wage review expert panel has today granted a "sustainable" CPI-beating 3.5% rise in all award rates and the national minimum wage, emphasising that now the inflation genie is back in the bottle, it will no longer "defer" taking action to reverse the pandemic-driven reduction in real wages.
The FWC's annual wage review expert panel will hand down its 2024-25 ruling on Tuesday morning, after the newly-returned Albanese Government urged a real increase in the minimum wage and award rates, the ACTU sought a 4.5% rise and ACCI and AIG no more than 2.5% and 2.6% respectively.
Just 6% of clerical workers who seek WFH arrangements are knocked back by their employer, according to a new Swinburne University study commissioned by the FWC as part of the work from home test case.
The FWC has set aside 17 days from October 20 and November 25 for a full bench to hear a major SDA challenge to junior rates in the retail, fast food and pharmacy awards, while Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth has responded to a call to weigh in.
DEWR has told the Annual Wage Review expert panel at a consultation hearing this morning that while the local economy will "not be immune" if international economic conditions deteriorate as a result of US tariffs and other factors, it expects domestic growth to gradually pick up over this year and 2026.
The second-term Albanese Government has today delivered on a key election promise, asking the FWC's Annual Wage Review bench to grant an "economically sustainable" real increase in the minimum wage and award rates.
Workplace Relations Minister Senator Murray Watt will weigh into a gender undervaluation award review case to make it clear the wages of affected workers must not go backwards, after the ASU warned proposed changes to the community and disability sector award might leave some workers up to $700 a week worse off.
Pharmacists will receive a 14.1% pay boost after a much-anticipated ruling by a FWC expert panel that scrutinised gender undervaluation, while employees under four other awards covering health professionals, disability services and daycare will have to wait for increases of up to 35% as questions of funding and new classifications are further investigated.
The ASU has welcomed an Albanese Government commitment "to support pay increases and better career pathways" for community and disability workers if re-elected, with Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt pledging funding for a workforce project to update the SCHADS Award.
