In response to research findings released by Curtin University yesterday, indicating that people on the minimum wage are as happy and medium-paid workers, the union responsible for a large percentage of Australia's low-paid workers have isaid the findings are rubbish.
LHMU assistant secretary, Carolyn Smith said the reults of the study are nonsense.
"All other studies of this nature indicate that when it comes to the happiness of low-paid workers, the opposite of Dr Dockery's findings is true," Ms Smith said.
Ms Smith also criticised Dr Dockery's comments about the report's findings.
"Dr Dockery's comments that the Fair Pay Commission should be wary of increasing the minimum wage is irresponsible.
"Dr Dockery needs to remove himself from values and attitudes of the 1950s. I suggest Dr Dockery try living on the minimum wage, and then stand by the findings of his study."
Full announcement below:
Actually, life is not happy on a minimum wage
The LHMU, who cover a vast number of low-paid workers, has rubbished the results of a study into the life satisfaction of low-paid workers.
The study, which took place at Curtin University, found that low-paid workers have as much life satisfaction as medium-paid workers.
"All other studies of this nature indicate that when it comes to the happiness of low-paid workers, the opposite of Dr Dockery's findings is true. The results of this study are nonsense," said LHMU assistant secretary Carolyn Smith.
Ms Smith also criticised Dr Dockery's comments about the report's findings.
"Dr Dockery's comments that the Fair Pay Commission should be wary of increasing the minimum wage is irresponsible.
"It's not about being happy with „your lot in life - it's about being paid fairly for the work you do.
"To suggest that "the effect of a marginal increase in minimum wages would be trivial in the extreme" is reprehensible and just untrue.
"Dr Dockery needs to remove himself from values and attitudes of the 1950s. I suggest Dr Dockery try living on the minimum wage, and then stand by the findings of his study."
