English – The Conversation | Almost 3 million workers will get a 4.75% pay rise in July. But wages can’t catch up with inflation by John Buchanan, Professor in Working Life, Discipline of Business Information Systems, University of Sydney Business School, University of Sydney AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information. Around 2.8 million of Australia’s lowest‑paid workers will receive a 4.75 % award‑wage increase on 1 July 2026, with the roughly 100 000 lowest‑paid employees – many women in part‑time, casual roles in hospitality, health, retail and administration – getting an almost 6 % rise that lifts the national minimum wage to $26.44 an hour ($1 004.90 a week). Despite the boost, the Fair Work Commission’s expert panel warned that real earnings are still falling, noting a 5.9 % decline in purchasing power over the past five years as inflation has outpaced wage growth since June 2021. The panel deemed a larger real‑wage increase “impractical” amid ongoing price shocks from the Middle‑East conflict and forecasted inflation of up to 7.25 % if oil prices surge, leaving workers’ buying power under pressure and highlighting the need for future, gender‑focused wage adjustments. Read more: https://theconversation.com/almost-3-million-workers-will-get-a-4-75-pay-rise-in-july-but-wages-cant-catch-up-with-inflation-284193 #FairWork #Treasury #ReserveBank #MiddleEast #Australia