The Fair Work Commission has handed down its decision to award a $15.80 a week pay rise to the nation’s lowest paid workers from July 1.

Fair Work Commission president Justice Iain Ross said the minimum wage should increase 2.4 per cent, which equates to $672.70 per week or $17.70 per hour.

The wage increase was half of what The Australian Council of Trades Union wanted – which was $30 a week. Other business groups have been arguing for a rise of between $7.90 to $10.50.

Last year the minimum wage increased by 2.5 per cent to $656.90 per week or $17.29 an hour.

The decision to lift wages affects more than 1.8 million employees in Australia.

– TiVi Tuan-san