A cleaner at a stadium. Photo: Verne Ho on Unsplash
Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen, chair of the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service stated that the Fair Work Commission had announced a 2.5 per cent increase to the national minimum wage, a ‘considerable boost on top of last year’s 1.7 per cent increase.’ Bishop Long stated that the ‘Australian Catholic Bishops Conference through the Australian Catholic Council for Employment Relations (ACCER) has been making submissions to national wage cases for decades because the minimum wage is all that many people have.’ Bishop Long stated that ‘ACCER had sought a 4 per cent increase to the minimum wage, arguing that the wage rates do not meet the definition of a "safety net of fair minimum wages" in the Fair Work Act, given that groups of workers receiving the minimum wage are in poverty and suffering social disadvantage. The Fair Work Commission did not agree with ACCER's views, but ACCER is a meaningful contributor to the annual wage review…(They) will be back next year to advocate for minimum wage workers to receive fair and reasonable wages that provide a safety net from poverty.’ Bishop Long also stated ‘so few voices speak for the dignity of workers and Australian workers' right to dignity in work, not to live in poverty and to be able to provide for themselves and their families.’
Columban missionaries recognize that economic poverty is a form of violence against the dignity of the human person and see the results of the unfair distribution of economic security. Through their ministry, they work to support the struggle of the poor against economic injustice worldwide.
Related links
- Church continues fight for a fair minimum wage by Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv
