The FPC yesterday handed down its second pay increase since the introduction of Workchoices.  The decision gives an increase of $10.26 to 850,000 federal award workers earning less than $700 a week and $5.30 to 350,000 workers earning more than $700. It takes the minimum wage to just $522.12 a week.  That is less than a 2% increase.  After tax the real effect of this increase is laughable.  Why in times of prosperity and job growth is the FPC so tight fisted?  And who is the FPC listening to?  Formerly the AIRC was responsible for hearing test cases on the minimum wage and listened to rafts of evidence from economists, business and welfare groups and unions and then after weighing everything up over days and weeks handed down fairly considered decisions. Business groups had openly urged the FPC not to award greater than a $10 increase – what a surprise that the outcome effectively matches that. We agree with the ACTU – this is a step towards poverty for working Australians.