The Franchise Council of Australia has welcomed the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review panel’s rejection of the push by the ACTU to increase the minimum wage by four per cent at a time many industry sectors are at a critically vulnerable point in their recovery.
FCA CEO Mary Aldred said it was encouraging to note the panel reflected on the most heavily impacted sectors including tourism, retail trade and food services, in determining a longer implementation date.
“Retail and food services are fighting for their business survival right now, which the Commission has acknowledged. It is vitally important that businesses in these sectors are given their best shot at making it through the next critical period, and that employers are not deterred from putting on job seekers through excessive wage increases.
“The implementation date next month will be an additional burden for businesses struggling to keep their head above water right now.
“For the hardest hit sectors the deferral of the implementation date will help cushion the impact, keeping in mind that JobKeeper is due to finish in under 100 days and there has been a slow return to trade following the gradual lifting of government restrictions.”