The AMWU has welcomed Fair Work Australia’s decision to lift the federal minimum wage by $26 a week.

“The $26 a week minimum wage rise was badly needed to assist workers who are struggling to meet increased costs of living,” said AMWU National Secretary Dave Oliver.

“Low paid manufacturing workers bore the brunt of the Global Financial Crisis and deserve this increase as the economy picks up again.”

Today’s decision by Fair Work Australia will lift the minimum wage from $544 to $570 a week.

Under the Fair Pay Commission set up by the Howard Government as part of WorkChoices, minimum award wages fell by as much as $97.75 a week.

Mr Oliver said the increase was necessary to address the significant decline in real wages low paid workers have faced.

“Workers on the minimum wage suffered disproportionately under WorkChoices, as company profits soared and wages were slashed. Working Australians are now regaining lost ground and seeing the benefits of the new Fair Work laws.

"This decision shows that a sense of balance has been restored for low paid workers.”

Mr Oliver said that in making the decision Fair Work Australia had recognised that the economy is improving.

“Australia has survived the global financial meltdown and we are now seeing strong growth in jobs and GDP. Fair Work Australia has now recognised this with a good minimum wage increase.”