News

The Salvation Army welcomes today’s ruling by the Fair Work Commission which will increase the fulltime weekly earnings for Australia’s lowest paid workers by $15.80 per week from 1 July this year.

Salvation Army spokesperson, Major Bruce Harmer, says that while welcoming the increase, people living on the margins will still find it difficult to keep their heads above the water.

“With winter now upon us, we know some people in the community will be making extremely tough decisions when it comes to their household budgets,” Major Harmer said.

“Individuals and families on the margins will be making decisions as to whether or not they have enough money to heat their home. In some cases, according to our recent research, parents will be sacrificing food for themselves in order to feed their kids.”

The Salvation Army recently released the results of its annual Economic and Social Impact Survey (ESIS) for 2013 highlighting the plight of the unemployed and lowest paid people in the community. Some key findings of the report revealed:

• 28% of clients (over a quarter) cannot afford a substantial meal even just once a day;
• 36% don’t have regular social contact with friends;
• 51% of respondents went without meals;
• A huge two thirds (66%) have cut down on basic necessities;
• Over a quarter (27%) cannot afford heating or cooling in at least one room of their house;
• Over 50% said their financial situation was now worse or a lot worse than 12 months ago;
• 58% cannot pay utility bills on time; and
• 92% have no savings.

The Salvation Army calls on Australian governments, business and community groups to work together to help close the gap of economic inequality in this country.