Is Lewis concerned for the juniors or for the competition for the work he is doing?

I have a daughter aged 15 recently started work as a casual at the minimum wage, working 7.5 hrs a week getting about $90 incl penalty rates for this. And while the store does employ older students at higher rates, juniors are popular as part of the team, manning the tills etc.

While I, and she, would obviously like the wage to be higher, the reality is that juniors lacking any experience, and carrying OH&S risks would otherwise be looked over for older, stronger and perceived more responsible adults.

This is an opportunity to get some work experience, some pin money, and something to put on your CV later.

Lewis Ringwaldt ,

…The argument against higher wages for teenagers, is based more on the negative aspect of where their head is, than the relationship to where their bodies are currently employed. Teenagers in the workforce are a “loose cannon” to be dealt with by the employer, thus forming one rather large underlying reason for the discount in wages! I think the current deal in Junior wages, is exposed as fair, using the common example of Shadow Ministers daughter, earning approximately $100 for a 7.5 hour working day, (which “rings true” to the average in my surrounding world as well).

...Your case for higher junior wages would probably benefit from an historic look at why they differ as they do: In the post-war years since 1945 to the late 70’s, with full employment and a fully unionised workforce; (a time when the disparity in junior wages was an accepted norm), the progress of the junior was effectively unhindered by "no lack" of opportunity for a better job. A more fulfilling life in the workforce, if so desired, was a natural event associated with the times.

...Not so today of course, where any junior position is “gold”, and where competition from the huge increase in University students, most with a very great need to supplement meagre Government assistance, offers no hope for your quest for higher wages.

...A more disturbing modern-day trend, is increasingly higher rates of unemployment amongst University graduets: That must be seen as an imperative factor for the equation of youth unemployment and low wages…

...Using the above examples, a more fruitful path for welfare of Juniors in the work-force, is an improvement in the availability of part-time work applicable to the junior employee... Thanks Lewis.