SA Workers Get Adult Wages, Businesses Worry

It's April 1st. This is Adelaide News today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story.

A big decision just dropped from the Fair Work Commission down in South Australia,

ruling that workers aged 18-20 in fast food retail.

And pharmacy spots now get full adult wages.

Right now, those juniors pull in just 70% for 18-year-olds, 80% in 19% and 90% in 20%,

but that's changing fast.

The shift kicks off in December and phases in gradually until 2029, hitting around 15,000 workers in the state.

It's coming from a push by the state's biggest union, who built their case looking at places like New Zealand.

Small businesses are stressing hard, saying they're already slammed with rising energy, rent, and insurance costs.

Groups like the South Australian business chamber, warn it could squeeze employers,

making them hesitate to hire inexperienced young adults, or even pivot to more tech-like order kiosks at KFC and Hungary Jax.

On the flip side, union reps argue it's about fair pay with built-in protections to keep our steady as workers age up,

and they point out no big. Unemployment jumps have an elsewhere after similar moves.

Businesses give four years to adjust, so plenty of runway.

This one's got everyone watching how it plays out for entry-level gigs and shop floors.

Could reshape who gets that first paycheck in these tough sectors.