Fed: ACCI argues for $10 wage rise in safety net review =2

AAP General News (Australia)
02-18-2004
Fed: ACCI argues for $10 wage rise in safety net review =2

Mr Hendy said ACCI's submission was a responsible alternative to union demands which
would cost an estimated 75,000 jobs.

He said businesses faced new cost pressures from recent hikes in interest rates, while
the higher dollar would affect exporters and the effects of the drought were still being
felt.

"With inflation running at 2.4 per cent, the ACTU claim of 5.9 per cent on the federal
minimum wage would be 3.5 per cent higher than rises in the cost of living," Mr Hendy
said.

"Conversely, a $10 increase would almost completely keep pace with the CPI."

Earlier today, ACTU secretary Greg Combet said profits in industries most dependent
on award employees - the hospitality and retail sectors - had risen about 10 times faster
than award wages in recent years.

"Low-paid workers in these industries have directly contributed to big increases in
business profits and yet they have received little reward themselves," he said.

The Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union, whose members make up a large
number of Australia's award workers, will protest outside ACCI's Melbourne offices today
in response to its submission.

AAP bp/gfr/tma/br

KEYWORD: WAGE ACCI 2 MELBOURNE (REOPENS)

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