9 Percent Pay Rise for Women-Dominated Jobs Receives Pushback

A women sign is seen on a toilet block at Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Western Australia, on March 16, 2024. (Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times)

The Opposition has questioned whether pay rises for female workers would affect the purchasing power of all Australians amid union demands on the government.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) is calling for a 9 percent pay rise for women in “key feminised industries.”

These could include child care, veterinary care, disability home care, education, and health support services, among others.

The ACTU’s secretary Sally McManus said achieving equal pay requires targeted pay rises in industries dominated by women.

However, Deputy Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Women Sussan Ley questioned how far any wage increase would go amid the cost of living crisis.

“I always want to see women in low paid workforces paid more. I always want to see that. Unfortunately with some of the wage increases that we are seeing, the cost of living is crushing the spending power of those wages,” she said on Sky News.

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“So lets see how this case goes through, but always we have to support women in low paying jobs, we have to support the small businesses that actually need to have the money coming through the door to make them viable to fund a pay increase if that is indeed what the fair work commission decides.

Ms. Ley also noted it is the “government that’s supposed to run the country not the ACTU” and said she wants to see the prime minister and government’s numbers.

The ACTU called for the pay rise as part of a submission to the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review.

Need to Get Inflation Down: Shadow Treasurer

Meanwhile, Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor said the government needs to get inflation down when asked about his support for the 9 percent pay rise on Sky News.

Mr. Taylor highlighted getting inflation down would be the best way to improve purchasing power for everybody.

“The best way to improve the purchasing power in your bank account, to improve the purchasing power in your pay packet, is to get inflation down. And then it’s not just those industries who do better, who deserve to do better, but everybody,” Mr. Taylor said.

“This is something that can unite us, a government that focuses on fighting inflation the right way, rather than going about it, saying one thing and doing another.”

Pay Rise Demand Explained

Meanwhile, the ACTU said a pay rise in key feminised industries would be a critical step in “achieving equal pay” for workers in occupations that have historically been under valued based on gender.

It explained the pay rise call is based on a 5 percent increase they are pushing for across all awards, plus another 4 percent for low paid “feminised industries.”

A full-time care worker would receive a $90 pay rise under the changes, which the union said is a step towards equal pay, pending full assessment.

However, the union noted a 23 percent pay rise would be required to achieve equal pay in the aged care industry, based on an assessment.

Ms. McManus said when employers push for real pay cuts while enjoying record corporate profits, they were “disregarding the struggles of working women in Australia.”

“Equal pay and cost of living increases are good for workers and good for the economy,” she claimed.

“A 9 percent 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 critical work for our community, such as educating the next generation and caring for our loved ones.

“Achieving equal pay for women requires systemic change and targeted pay rises in industries traditionally dominated by women and historically very low-paid.”

Aussies Doing It Tough In Face of Inflation

Meanwhile, Deputy Opposition leader Ms. Ley highlighted the federal government’s upcoming budget is extremely important.

She said the energy policy of the current government is increasing costs out of sight and closing businesses.

“We are seeing record insolvencies in construction and manufacturing, the highest number since the global financial crisis. It doesn’t seem to be sounding any alarm bells for this government,” she said.

Ms. Ley also noted the cumulative impact of inflation is having a huge impact on Australians, including those dreaming of buying a new home.

“Remember, when you hear these inflation numbers, sometimes people hear 3 percent, they think things are staying the same, they are not. It’s 3 percent on 3 percent on 3 percent and sometimes higher, it’s the cumulative effect,” Ms. Ley said.

“Everyone who goes to the shops who is on a fixed budget can see that. Everyone who is trying to pay their fees, everyone who is seeing their mortgage go up, every young person who is losing the dream of ever owning their own home is seeing that right now.

“So yes, this is an incredibly important budget for this government, they have to get it right.”

Tax Cut Coming in Budget: Chalmers

However, Treasurer Jim Chalmers recently said the budget next month will focus on easing cost of living pressures, not adding to them.

He said in the May Budget, the Albanese Government will seek to balance the ongoing fight against inflation with the need to gear the economy for growth.

“The centrepiece of the cost‑of‑living help in the budget will be a tax cut for every taxpayer. We will consider additional help on top of that if it’s affordable, if it’s responsible and if it helps takes some of the edge off inflation in our economy,” Mr. Chalmers said.