Every year, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) reviews the National Minimum Wage and Award wages to decide if they should be increased.

And every year, the union movement calls for a fair increase that reflects the value of work and helps our lowest-paid workers with the cost of living.

This year, we’re calling for a 5% increase to the minimum wage and all Awards, and a 9% increase for workers in feminised industries.

A 5% pay increase is fair and reasonable for our 2.9 million lowest-paid workers are the ones who are the hardest hit by inflation. They need this increase to start to get ahead again and make up for the real wage losses over the last few years.

And a 9% pay increase is a vital first step to properly valuing the working women doing critical work for our community, such as educating the next generation and caring for our loved ones.

These increases would have no negative impact on inflation and businesses can afford it, especially as levels of profits are well above pre-pandemic levels.