Unions have slammed WA’s minimum wage increase as “disappointing”, warning workers could move elsewhere as the State’s award falls below the Federal minimum.
From July 1, the State minimum wage for employees aged 21 and over will increase 5.3 per cent – letting workers take home an additional $43.50 in their weekly pay slip.
That figure for those covered under WA’s industrial relations system is below the national wage rise of 5.75 per cent.
Unions WA State Secretary Owen Whittle said he was “extremely disappointed and angry” at the decision, calling for the minimum award to match the national inflation rate of 7 per cent.
“It is going to help (with the cost of living crisis) but it’s still below inflation,” he told 6PR on Monday..
“Cost of living is still increasing.
“We know that a lot of workers, particularly those in retail areas, are spending between 65 and 70 per cent of their minimum wage earnings on rent and housing costs.”