BUSINESS Horsham says a proposed change to minimum wage is not a high concern for the city's business owners.
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Labor has hinted at tweaking industrial laws to drive wages up for low-paid workers if voted in at the next federal election while unions are pushing for a $43-a-week rise in the minimum wage.
Business Horsham's executive administrator Sarah Kelm said a main concern for Horsham's businesses was attraction and retention of quality employees.
"The feedback I have had - from the hospitality industry in particular - was about attracting and retaining staff members," she said.
"This could mean these businesses are paying their staff higher than the minimum wage already."
Ms Kelm said recruiting employees to regional areas was a challenge for most industries and expected majority of businesses to pay above the set minimum wage.
"The question we need to ask is if people are paying above that anyway given our location?" she said.
"Business owners in the hospitality industry are saying how hard it is to get staff and retain them. So, business owners are prepared to pay above minimum wage.
"I have also worked in the grains industry and know they are paying above minimum wage because people will not work for that.
"It really depends on the type of business, but employers want good staff and minimum wage does not cut it for most people."
Ms Kelm said some hospitality businesses suggested an increase in minimum wage could mean less adults were hired at the establishment.
"Other people have said it could potentially mean employing less adults because it is cheaper to employ a staff member who would be seen as a junior," she said.
Ms Kelm said the issue was complex and could affect the city's businesses in very different ways.
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