MANY of the city's school children work tirelessly in the afternoons to earn a decent wage to cover their expenses.
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But despite this, they will earn less than their older coworkers to do the same job.
"Let's face it. Younger workers are among the most exploited people in the workforce."
A recent decision by the Fair Work Commission recognised a disparity in how much 20-year-old retail workers are paid compared to their 21-year-old counterparts.
The decision meant 20-year-olds would receive a wage bump of about $2 an hour.
The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, the union that spearheaded the wage rise, has vowed to launch another campaign for younger workers.
But Wagga Business Chamber manager Larry Buete cautioned against any further increase in youth wages to bring them into line with adult wages.
Mr Buete said while many Wagga businesses would wear the latest wage decision, many would struggle to cope with further increases.
"It all adds up to that underlying bill. It's not just the $2 - it's everything else that goes with it," he said.
Mr Buete highlighted hikes in employee superannuation contribution schemes and payroll tax as flow-on impacts of an expanded wage base.
He said levelling wages with age means employers would start to prioritise employing experienced workers in a "price sensitive" market.
"Am I getting value for money by hiring a younger person? At some stage, that sort of thinking becomes a disadvantage for young people," he said.
But Doctor Robert Tierney, who is a business lecturer at Charles Sturt University's school of management and marketing, said he is uncomfortable with the claims business groups are making about the decision.
"Let's face it. Younger workers are among the most exploited people in the workforce. Claims that increasing wages can do untold structural damage to the business are false and hysterical," he said.
Dr Tierney said most people need to be trained when they enter a workplace so there is little correlation between age and experience in unskilled jobs.
15-year-old Georgia Richardson earns about $12.50 an hour sweeping floors at the Red Jaffa cafe in Wagga.
Georgia isn't fazed about the debate raging between adults about how much she's earning, but said it would be good earn a bit more.
"The good thing is now I don't have many expenses so it's OK," she said.
Size: 6,558
Number unemployed: 688
Youth unemployment rate: 10.5%
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics