[Greens-Media] Low Paid in no-win situation under Work Choices

[Ozich, Clare (Sen R. Siewert)]

Senator Rachel Siewert
Australian Greens Senator for WA


Low Paid in no-win situation under Work Choices

"Today's decision by the Australian Fair Pay Commission on minimum wages
demonstrates the core purpose of the Commission, like Work Choices
itself is to keep wages down," said Senator Rachel Siewert, the Greens
spokesperson on industrial relations.

"The low paid are in a no win situation with the Howard government. If
unemployment is low, the government argues for minimal increases in the
minimum wage on the flawed basis that the low paid can get better paid
job in a strong labour market. 

If, however, unemployment rises the first argument of the Howard
government will be that the minimum wage should not be increased to
encourage employment for the unemployed. There are no circumstances
under which this government believes in a strong minimum wage to provide
a decent safety net for the most vulnerable," Senator Siewert said.

"The statistics already show Work Choices keeping wages down in poorly
paid, casual part time work and now we have a measly 2% increase in the
minimum wage from the AFPC." 

"The people that rely most on the minimum wage are women in part time
work. Combined with the punitive welfare to work measures which have
just come into effect, and changes to the JET program limiting
educational opportunities for single mothers, we have a government
creating an underclass of poorly paid vulnerable women workers. Is this
what Australia really needs?"


Thursday 5th July 2007

For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025
Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  |  http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au