Calls for minimum wage hike

A MAJOR Australian union is calling for the minimum wage to be increased by 5.5 per cent amid rapidly rising inflation.

Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally Mcmanus made the call on Monday morning, saying the hike was the only way workers “could keep their heads above water”.

“I am worried about people being paid less and cutting back on the basics,” she said.

“Inflation is now 5.1 per cent. Unions wanting 5.5 is reasonable in that circumstance.”

The ACTU initially called for a 5 per cent increase to the minimum wage.

Australia’s national minimum wage is $772.60 a week for a 38-hour week, or $20.33 an hour.

Ms Mcmanus said the increase was needed to ensure workers making the minimum wage had enough to cover basic living expenses.

“One in four workers are affected by (minimum wage). We need everyone to get behind wages growth,” she said.

The call came after the Reserve Bank of Australia forecast Australian wages would continue to stagnate or decrease in inflation-adjusted terms until December 2023.