 The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia’s largest and most representative business organisation, said today that the decision by the Fair Work Commission to raise the minimum wage and award rates by 3% – $18.70 per week for the minimum wage – will destroy job opportunities and hit small-to-medium mum-and-dad businesses the hardest.
ACCI’s CEO, Kate Carnell AO said, “We cannot avoid the economic reality that artificially high wages destroy job opportunities, particularly for our kids and grandkids.” “These are the sorts of jobs that are often filled by the most vulnerable and low-paid workers, usually low-skilled and very sensitive to being priced out of existence by a one-size-fits-all approach by government.” “ACCI argued strongly before the Commission that a rise of more than $8.50 at this time would impose unworkable pressure on employers who are already suffering under very difficult economic conditions.” “There is this combination body blow to many small businesses who are hit with wage rises, higher superannuation at 9.5% from July and excessive penalty rates particularly on Sundays. Unfortunately, the thing that’s going to give way first – is jobs.” “It’s one thing for employers to trade off wages for genuine productivity gains – that’s how we improve real wages – but artificially driving up wages with the stroke of a pen is not how we create prosperity.” “Business rejects the high ambit claims put by the unions, they cannot remain recklessly indifferent to the job losses and disadvantage excessive rates impose.” “Our focus must be on creating jobs and eliminating youth unemployment. There is no generosity in raising wages to the point where people can’t find work when they need it.”
|
| www.acci.asn.au |
at the very Core of it all … is Content!