CTU MEDIA RELEASE
05 March 2007

Aussie Wages Down - Do Nats Still Support Australian Labour Laws?

“Does National still support Australia’s harsh new labour laws that are driving down wages across the Tasman?” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that wages of workers in Australia declined in real terms by 0.6 % last year. The issue has been raised by the International Trade Union Confederation at the World Trade Organisation investigation into Australian trade laws this week.

“Australian workers are suffering under a labour law that is pushing people onto individual contracts with inferior conditions, driving down wages and exposing millions of workers to unfair sacking.”

“Women full time workers in the private sector in Australia suffered a 1.8% drop in real earnings, and Australia’s industrial laws are doing nothing to help address the gender pay gap.”

“National’s Industrial Relations spokesperson Wayne Mapp told the country at the last election that they would follow Australia’s lead on employment law. Is this still National Party policy under the new leadership?”

Ends.