We have come a long way in what is now the Fair Work Act.

Australia has continued to evolve on the idea of what is fair pay for workers. What a journey it has been in receiving a just minimum wage, annual and sick leave and equal pay among race and gender. This documentary posted by Fair Work Commission, gives the viewer background on the ripple effect of an idea which began from the shearers’ strike in the 1890’s. Fair Work has progressed and is still evolving each and every day, as Australian standards change. Coming across this video on the FWC website, certainly shed light onto how minimum wage was initiated.

The strike in the 1890’s began between Australian Shearers’ Union and Pastoralists’ Federal Council (the employers). Shearers went on strike as union and non-union workers were not to work with one another. This left many workers poor and hungry. The dispute was what commenced the outcome of what would soon become fair pay. It also started the foundations of the Australian Labor Party.

Many fights were fought and bills were passed before Justice Higgins of the Arbitration Court decided on what would be a fair “basic wage” for a man to support a family of 5. In 1907 it was decided that enough money for an unskilled labourer to feed, clothe and house his family was to be 7 shillings per day. This evolved over the years, as Australian standards changed.

There were many factors in this timeline of what became a fair wage in Australia. The documentary gives insight into the story behind Waltzing Matilda and how it is not necessarily meant to be portrayed as a pleasant tune, rather a tale of a period of time in Australian history. The film displays why as Australian’s, we can go to work and know that we will have enough money to feed our family and know that we have the right to take a holiday or a sick day. Indeed we have come a long way in what is now the Fair Work Act.

Please click through and watch this short video >>

https://www.fwc.gov.au/content/video/waltzing-matilda-film