Private sector pay in perspective, 1999-2000 Our sector- by-sector review of settlements in the past wage round reflects on the varying pattern of pay rises in key sectors of the economy. - The analysis finds that: a combination of low inflation and intense competitive pressures have continued to keep private sector pay awards in check over the year to August 2000;and employers in eight of the 13 major industries covered by this review awarded lower pay rises than in the previous wage round, although the overall private sector median increase stands at 3%, unchanged from the figure recorded this time last year.