Business Council research on EBAs

KEY FINDINGS IN BUSINESS COUNCIL RESEARCH INTO ENTERPRISE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS

* Non-managerial employees on EBAs get paid more - earning on average $42 an hour compared to $29 per hour for those on awards

* Just over 50 per cent of non-managerial workers on EBAs earn over $1,600 a week compared to around 20 per cent on awards

* Wages growth for workers on active, federally registered EBAs is higher than the economy-wide average - growing at an annual average of 2.7 per cent compared to 2.3 per cent

* The current number of active federal enterprise agreements are the lowest in 20 years

* Australia has a productivity problem that is dragging on living standards.

* The Better off overall test (BOOT) is contributing to the weakness in productivity growth

* BCA wants to see BOOT replaced with the no disadvantage test as recommended by the Productivity Commission