The federal government has offered one-off payments to certain welfare recipients, a one-off increase in the low-to-middle income tax offset, and a temporary cut to the fuel excise to ease cost-of-living pressures on Australians.
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The MGA said small-to-medium retailers had been devastated by the combined effects of flooding and the pandemic, with vaccine mandates resulting in operators losing long-term, senior staff, or putting employees on paid leave while hiring others to fill the void.
The association also says independent retailers “face an ongoing fear of worker’s compensation claims and rising premiums due to staff contracting COVID-19”.
“Members also faced considerable backlash from customers and members of the public when required to implement government directions regarding face masks, check-in, and vaccination requirements, among other things,” the association says.
MGA says a 2.5 per cent wage increase was passed on in September, after an annual increase was staggered for various awards, and it didn’t support any increase in 2022, but qualifies, if a uniform rise has to occur, “a modest increase of 0.5 per cent would be appropriate”.
SDA national secretary Gerard Dwyer says the MGA’s submission is unconscionable.Credit:Nick Moir
Gerard Dwyer, national secretary of retail workers’ union SDA, said a wage freeze was “unconscionable”.
“After two years on the pandemic frontline serving our community and after suffering two delayed pay rises, this is how the MGA wants to reward essential retail workers,” Mr Dwyer said.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said low unemployment figures and a tight labour market would force employers to be competitive in attracting staff, which would in turn lift wages.
Supermarkets, retailers call for wage freeze amid rising living costs
Source: Philippines Alive
