THE Fair Work Commission’s decision to reduce Sunday and public holiday penalty rates for retail, hospitality and fast-food workers came as a shock to many Australians nationwide.

The decision, which will see Sunday cuts come in within a  year, will affect full-time, part-time and casual workers.

Public holiday cuts will come into place on July 1.

Full-time and part-time hospitality workers will have their Sunday rates cut from 175 percent of their normal rate to 150 percent,  200 to 150 percent for both full and part time retail workers and 150 to 125 percent for level 1 fast food workers.

Casual workers in the hospitality industry will not have their Sunday rates cut, however, retail and fast-food workers will.

Twenty-year-old Medowie resident Briana Plooy has been working full-time in the hospitality industry for five years now and told News Of The Area: “These cuts will mean I will have to work an extra shift every week to make up for the money I will lose on my Sunday shift.”

“Going to uni this year means I am relying on the money I make on the weekend to pay my rent,” she said.

The decision was made in order to help some retailers who previously could not afford to open on a Sunday and will potentially enable wider opening hours and more staff to be employed.

It is estimated some people will lose up to $6000 a year income due to the cuts.

“Weekend penalty rates make going to uni and not having full weekday availability easier as you can make up the extra time and money on the weekend,” Briana said.

“I think a lot of workers won’t bother going out of their way to work the Sunday and public holiday shifts as it won’t have the same effect on their bank account.”

 

By Simone JOHNSON