Govt backs 'appropriate' minimum wage rise THE federal government has reiterated its support for an "appropriate" increase in the minimum wage, saying any hike should take account of living costs and domestic and global economic conditions. The Fair Work Commission (FWC) is this week hearing final submissions for its annual minimum wage deliberations, with a decision expected at the beginning of June. The ACTU wants a $30-a-week minimum wage increase, which business groups have labelled unaffordable. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has instead called for a weekly rise of $5.80, while the Australian Industry Group says the minimum wage increase should be limited to $12. In its post-budget submission the Gillard government says while the overall economic outlook is positive, conditions are expected to be "uneven" across the economy. Employment growth has been "modest," it says, but subdued global conditions, cautious consumer sentiment and the high dollar were weighing down some sectors. "The Australian government supports an appropriate increase in the National Minimum Wage and award wages in 2013," its submission says. Any increase should take account of changes in living costs and the economic environment ... as well as the domestic and global economic outlook in the short to medium term. The ACTU, which in March warned of creating a class of working poor in Australia, said the "cautiously optimistic" economic outlook in last week's budget did not alter its $30 claim. The ACCI's post-budget submission said the "uneven nature of economic growth" and the pressure on trade exposed sectors "justify the Fair Work Commission taking a cautious approach to any increase in award rates of pay." The FWC will hold its final minimum wage hearings in Melbourne on Tuesday, and Sydney on Wednesday.