Clare O’Brien, writing for Working Life, the ACTU newsletter, remind us that we must check our payslips carefully:
As we ring in a new financial year, we welcome a very well-deserved pay increase for minimum wage workers. As of 1 July, those on minimum wage should expect a 5.2 per cent pay rise while those on awards will receive either a 4.2 per cent increase or an extra $40 per week (whichever of the two is highest).
Also coming into effect on 1 July is the removal of the $450 threshold for super contributions. Are you starting to receive super for the first time? It’s important you make the right choice for you about which super fund your employer starts contributing to. Here’s a good place to start your research.
Australian union members fought long and hard for these much-needed changes that Australian workers have truly earned!
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While we’re certainly celebrating this achievement, we know that bosses don’t always do the right thing and your union is always here to hold them to account. We’ve seen many instances of employers engaging in wage theft – whether it be producing false payslips, no payslips or sneakily making inadequate super contributions.
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In my experience, that’s a good reminder. Particularly younger and/or foreign workers need to get in the habit of doing that: it’s your hard-earned money, which you and/or your family needs. Unions may help, but it’s ultimately up to you to look after your interests.