Across Australia, wages aren't keeping up with inflation, and workers are finding it harder to make ends meet.
That's why Labor is advocating for the Fair Work Commission to deliver higher wages for Victorians on the minimum wage and apprentices.
With cost-of-living front of mind for Victorians, the Allan Labor Government has today recommended a real wage increase for workers on minimum wages in its submission to the Fair Work Commission's Annual Wage Review.
The review is vitally important as it directly impacts the earnings of around 1.3 million Victorian workers.
The submission calls for an increase in apprentices' rates of pay to reflect their needs in a modern system.
Apprentices are increasingly older, living out of home and facing cost-of-living pressures while undertaking training.
Critical to the growth of the skilled workforce, apprentices are central to the delivery of the new homes, transport and clean energy infrastructure Victoria needs.
The Labor Government has also asked the Commission to consider how changes to minimum wages could reduce the gender pay gap.
An increase in award wages particularly benefits women, as award-reliant workers are disproportionately female, with over two-thirds working part-time, more than half casual, and over a third low-paid.
Our submission also urges the Commission to consider the wages for groups of workers who experience significantly poorer employment outcomes such as First Nations people, low-skilled people and people with a disability.
This submission builds on the Labor Government's work providing real cost of living support where it's needed most.
This includes the $100 power saving bonus, free public transport for kids, and seniors on weekends, and our Fair Fuel Plan which is capping fuel price rises.
As stated by Minister for Industrial Relations Jaclyn Symes
"We will always be in the corner of Victorians doing it tough and that's why we support an increase in the national minimum wage."
"Apprentices are critical to building Victoria up - just look at their role in creating state-shaping infrastructure like the Footscray Hospital or Metro Tunnel - that's why we're backing them for a pay increase."
As stated by Minister for Training Gayle Tierney
"Working as an apprentice can be tough, and as a government we want to support them as they get the skills they need to not only build a career but to build the homes and infrastructure that makes Victoria great."
"We want the Fair Work Commission to rise to the task and give our apprentices the fairer go they deserve."
