ACTU secretary Sally McManus said achieving equal pay for women required both system change and targeted pay rises in industries that were generally dominated by women and historically quite low-paid.
“A 9 per cent pay increase will not only support families with cost-of-living pressures,it will also be a vital first step to properly valuing the work of working women doing work critical to our community,such as educating the next generation and caring for our loved ones,” she said.
The ACTU will make its case for tailored wage boosts in a fresh submission to the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review,having last month called for a 5 per cent increase in the minimum wage,currently $23.23 an hour.
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An extra 4 per cent rise would apply across the board for people on certain awards in female-dominated industries. It would mean nearly $90 a week more for a childcare worker on level three of the children’s services award;someone involved in home disability care on the level three of the social,community,home care and disability services award;or a veterinary nurse,also on level three of the relevant award.
Annual inflation has continued to fall,dipping to 3.6 per cent in the year to March,down from 4.1 per cent in the 12 months to December. However,the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show a 1 per cent rise in the first quarter,attributed to rent,educational and medical cost increases.
Economists last week said the higher-than-expected consumer price index rise increased the likelihood of the Reserve Bank board considering another rate rise when it meets on May 6 and 7.