The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA) is asking the Albanese government to support its application to the Fair Work Commission to secure adult wage rates for 18- to 21 year-old workers in retail, fast food, and pharmacy.
The SDA said it has contacted Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth to intervene in support of its application, consistent with the government’s previous intervention to support the union’s efforts to protect penalty rates, work breaks, and other rights for retail workers from unfair employer changes.
More than 1.5 million Australians work in retail, fast food, and pharmacy, with a large share of the workforce under 21. Many begin employment at 15 or 16 and, by the age of 18, have gained considerable experience and taken on substantial responsibilities. Despite this, they are often paid as little as 70 percent of the adult rate, with no clear justification.
The “adult age adult wage” campaign seeks to address this issue and aims to advance the rights and interests of younger workers. The SDA is also requesting government, federal, state, and territory to require ‘working with children’ checks for retail and fast food staff who work with people under 18 and for these under-18 workers to receive superannuation on all earnings.
“Eighteen year olds can vote, drive and put their lives on the line for their country. Eighteen year olds are adults. They struggle with the same cost of living pressures as every other adult,” said Gerard Dwyer, National Secretary of the SDA.
“They do not receive a discount on their bills just because they happen to be 18. They should be paid the same as other adults. Eighteen year olds voted for the government in unprecedented numbers. Their interests and wellbeing deserve to be addressed. Eighteen year olds should not be treated as second class citizens. Their work is as valuable as anyone else’s and they should be paid accordingly.”