MARCH 30, 2022 – The Coalition Government has again failed to take any action to ensure that wages keep up with the rising costs of living and has made no commitment in its’ Budget to making and maintaining things here, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) say.
The Budget focuses on one-off band aid fixes that won’t deliver long-term secure jobs or any solutions to cost of living pressures or to addressing real wages going backwards.
After nearly 10 years, the wages of manufacturing workers have flatlined. Wages for manufacturing workers went backwards by $809 in real terms in 2021.
The Budget expects workers’ wages will go backwards even more in the first six months of this year, by an average of $500.
Workers who make and maintain things in Australia can’t afford for their wages to keep going backwards.
We need a government that supports long-term solutions for future generations of workers across industries. We need leaders who support Aussie made by making and maintaining things here so we can lock in good, secure and decent paid jobs.
Quotes attributable to Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) national secretary Steve Murphy:
“Workers across industries in manufacturing have suffered record-low wage growth, their wages have gone backwards by over $800. One-off cash bribes aren’t going to cut it when it comes to putting food on the table.
“This is a band aid fix, the rising cost of rent and food aren’t one-off. We need a government that commits to making and maintaining things here to achieve good, secure jobs to get wages moving again.
“It’s time for things to be made and maintained in Australia again. As we head towards the election we’ll continue to push for a change of government that guarantees a secure future for generations of workers who make and maintain things in Australia.”