The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australia’s largest and most representative business organisation, used today’s release of wages data to renew calls for workplace relations reform. On an annualised basis, wages grew at 2.6 per cent, which sits below the inflation rate of 3 per cent.
ACCI’s chief operating officer, John Osborn said, “The combination of rising unemployment and falling real wages must be a wakeup call for all parties, but particularly the Opposition and some minor parties who are frustrating important reforms in the Senate.”
“The inescapable reality of business is that employment costs impact on employers’ decisions to hire workers. This is worsened when those costs become out-of-step with the productivity growth that underpins real wages growth.”
“We must cut the excessive regulation that is holding back job creation and contributing to national unemployment now at 6.4 per cent.”
“If we are going to turn around the unemployment trend and grow the economy then we must honestly look at all the workplace reform options – including greater flexibility when it comes to working weekends.”
“The awards system needs an to be overhauled to better reflect the needs of modern workplaces and a 24/7 economy.”
“To stimulate growth and create jobs we also need to go beyond workplace relations reform and reduce the costs of doing business – such as cutting red-tape, lowering energy costs and simplifying the tax system.”