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The article discusses the challenges faced by migrant workers in Australia when trying to recover unpaid wages. The "small claims" court process, which was designed to provide a simple and accessible way for workers to claim their entitlements, is virtually impossible to use without legal support. Many migrant workers are underpaid, but the risks and costs of taking legal action outweigh the slim chance of success. Reforms are urgently needed to make the small claims process more effective, including expanding free legal services, simplifying court processes, and guaranteeing payment for workers who obtain a court order. The government is currently reviewing the small claims process and has an opportunity to address these issues. [Extracted from the article]

The article views that millions of Autralians will continue to live in poverty and on survival wages despite the 5.2 increase in national minimum wage. It sees the continued the struggle of low-income families in rental payment, food and health costs, and to achieve a decent standard of living. It reports the income inequality, expansion of casual work and temporary jobs, long work hours and job insecurity in the country.

"The extremely tight labor market, rising wages and elevated unit labor costs are more pressing for policy consideration and by the bank's own admission, the current cash rate is not overly restrictive. RBC's Ong said the 5.75% increase for award-linked pay will add 0.4-0.5 percentage points to the wage price index in the third quarter, pushing it above the RBA's 4% forecast. [Extracted from the article]

Economists say the minimum wage decision will set a benchmark for other pay negotiations. "We have also taken into account the recent robustness of the labor market, and the fact that increases to modern award minimum wage rates will provide a disproportionate benefit to female workers and may contribute to narrowing the aggregate gender pay gap across the entire employee workforce", Hatcher said. (Bloomberg) -- Australia's industrial relations umpire raised the national minimum wage by 5.75% from July 1 in an effort to support low-paid workers at a time of rising living costs and a tight labor market. [Extracted from the article]

Nurses, teachers and transport workers have already secured annual pay rises of up to 4.5% in new agreements, according to several major unions. (Bloomberg) -- Australia's public sector labor unions are confident of securing bigger wage rises this year as a tight job market and surging living costs boost their bargaining power, raising the risk of yet another driver of inflation. The national government supported a 5.2% increase in the minimum wage in June and has repeatedly expressed a determination to get better pay for workers after several years of limited increases. [Extracted from the article]

"Private sector wage growth occurred across a broad range of industries as businesses looked to retain experienced staff and attract new staff. (Bloomberg) -- Australia's annual wages growth edged up, led by the private sector, while failing to accelerate to levels needed to bring forward interest-rate increases. [Extracted from the article]

(Bloomberg) -- Australia's central bank Governor Philip Lowe reckons wages need to grow at 3% or more to drive inflation to a level needed for interest-rate liftoff. Meanwhile, National Australia Bank's monthly survey of business confidence and conditions is another important indicator for signs of wage pressures, with its sub-index for both labor costs and input costs ticking higher. [Extracted from the article]