Australia’s minimum wage to rise 5.2%

© Reuters. A view of the Central Business District and surrounding city is seen from the Sydney Tower Eye observation deck as the state of New South Wales continues to report low numbers for new daily cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Sydney, Australia

SYDNEY (Reuters) – Australia’s independent wage-setting body on Wednesday raised the national minimum wage by 5.2%, largely in line with inflation, as families tackle soaring living costs.

The lowest-paid employees will receive an extra A$40 ($27.56) per week, the Fair Work Commission said after its annual review. The current rate is A$20.33 per hour.

The new centre-left Labor government, during the election campaign, had backed an inflation-matching 5.1% rise in minimum wages, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this month made a formal submission seeking a rise in wages.

($1 = 1.4514 Australian dollars)