The Printing Industries Association of Australia (PIAA) is concerned for the effect of the national minimum wage increase on small businesses in print and packaging, with the industry body saying it has received a deluge of queries from its members on the matter.

The PIAA plans to talk to businesses about the impact of the change, it says small printers risk being pushed out of the economy by the Fair Work Commission’s decision to lift minimum and award wages by 3.5 per cent.

It says with it being the ninth year in a row which minimum wages have risen more than inflation, Australia’s national minimum wage is now close to, if not, the highest in the world.

[Related: PIAA, AMWU denounce minimum wage]

Andrew Macaulay, CEO of the PIAA says, “This minimum wage increase will intensify pressure on people running small businesses in the printing and packaging industries, many of whom are already struggling.

“I have been inundated with calls and emails over the past few days and over the weekend from concerned members about what exactly this will mean. We will be continuing this period of consultation.

“It is not an acceptable situation where a small business owner who is taking all the risk is earning less money than the employees they employ.”

“More than half of small business owners across the Australian economy earn less than $50,000 per year, and there will be a point at which they will wonder why they bother if wages are raised by more than prices, and business overheads are too high.”

“There are concerns from small printing businesses everywhere.”

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter