Employment: Wage negotiations

The Low Pay Commission is due to present its recommendations to government this month concerning the minimum wage, following meetings with industry representatives such as the Business Services Association and the Cleaning and Support Services Association.

In its submission, the CSSA told the commission that implementation of the minimum wage had led to the loss of some 13,500 jobs, and it warned that future minimum wage increases would 'aggravate this further'. The CSSA added that cost recovery had been difficult, with 'many customers refusing to pay the increased costs'.