Fair Work abolishes junior pay rates, with half a million young Australians to be paid more

Union celebrates ‘landmark decision’ that will mean adults aged 20 or younger are no longer paid less

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Half a million young Australians working in the retail, fast food and pharmacy sectors are set for a wage increase after the Fair Work Commission abolished junior pay rates for those aged 18 and over.

The wage rises will be phased in over four years in a landmark change that unions compared to the introduction of equal pay for women in the 1970s.