Labor says low-paid workers should not ‘go backwards’ as it backs 5.1% wage rise

New government's Fair Work Commission submission warns rising inflation is causing effective pay cuts for low-paid workers

Labor has called on the Fair Work Commission to ensure low-paid workers don't go backwards" due to rising inflation rates, backing a minimum wage increase of at least 5.1% and shrugging off suggestions it would lead to further inflationary pressure.

The employment minister, Tony Burke, said the new federal government had not limited its recommendation for wage rises to only minimum wage workers, saying Labor wanted to see low-paid" workers more broadly - including shop assistants, cleaners and workers in the care economy - not suffer effective pay cuts due to inflation.