BUSINESS SUBMISSION
You are required to prepare a 1500 word submission on behalf of the Australian Retailers Association in response to the March 2014 ruling by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) that 20 year old employees (classed as juniors) who are covered by the General Retail Industry Award will, from the 1st July 2014, receive the full adult wage rate.
You are to make a submission, representing Australian Retailers Association as to whether the adult pay rate should be further lowered to include 18 – 19 year old employees.
The objective of the submission is to clearly outline the interests and concerns held by the Australian Retailers Association on the policy issue of the further lowering to include 18 – 19 year old employees.
This process will also involve reviewing and expanding the existing policy position held by the Australian Retailers Association.
The central objective of the submission is to make a case as to why the government should follow the advice contained in your submission.
The key is to research and develop a clear argument in relation to the policy issue and to present it in a persuasive manner.
The submission must be 1500 words.
There must be a minimum of 8 references.
Fair Work Commission decision:
https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/html/2014FWCFB1846.htm
Australian Retailers Association:
http://www.retail.org.au/ArticleDetails/tabid/232/ArticleID/633/Retailers-still-fuming-at-FWC-shock-junior-wage-rate-decision-%E2%80%93-ARA-to-pursue-all-options-to-reverse-decision.aspx
1. Lowering the Age of Adult Wages
In March 2014, the Fair Work Commission (FWC) ruled that 20 year old employees (classed as juniors) who are covered by the General Retail Industry Award will, from the 1st July 2014, receive the full adult wage rate. This will only apply to workers who have completed six months continuous service in the same organisation. This replaces the existing wage determination where 20 year olds receive 90% of the adult wage rate. Workers who are covered by this award include general retail shops, including supermarkets, department stores, clothing stores, video stores, bakeries and home furniture and appliance stores.
The case was brought by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employee’s Union (SDA), who argued workers doing the same job should receive identical wages. The union’s argument went further than applying only to 20 year olds. It argued in the Commission that it was discriminatory to pay 18 to 20 year olds, who are considered adult in all other aspects of society, lower wages simply because of their age.
The SDA have indicated this is a first step in an ongoing campaign to have adult pay rates in the retail industry lowered to include those 18 years and over. Evidence was given to the FWC that there is no difference in performance expectations between those aged between 18 and 20, and those aged 21 and over. Supporters of lowering the age of the adult wage also argue it will halt discrimination against adult workers who are often overlooked in favour of younger workers who represent a cheaper cost to an employer.
Employers have expressed views that lowering the adult rate of pay will be a further cost to business and will result in job losses.
You are to make a submission, representing Australian Retailers Association as to whether the adult pay rate should be further lowered to include 18 – 19 year old employees. Under the current Award 18 year olds receive 70% of the adult wage and 19 year olds receive 80% of the adult wage.
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