Category: Government and Politics / Tourism / Hospitality
Barnett wants to cut Sunday penalty rates for state workers
Friday, 24 Feb 2017 13:02:08 | Jacob Kagi And Andrew O'Connor
The Fair Work Commission is only responsible for some, others may fall under a state-administered system. (unsplash.com)
A re-elected Barnett Government would push to have Sunday penalty rates for some workers slashed, in exchange for a higher base rate on other days.
Premier Colin Barnett confirmed he would seek to have the WA Industrial Relations Commission review pay rates for workers under the state system, a day after the Fair Work Commission announced changes for people under its jurisdiction.
The Fair Work Commission's decision to cut the Sunday rate from double the typical wage to 150 per cent of it applied to employees of hospitality, fast food and retail corporations — typically medium and large businesses.
Employees of some small businesses fall under the state-based system and are not impacted by Fair Work's decision.
But Mr Barnett said he would have the state system reviewed if his Government is returned for a third term.
"What I would like to see is, reduce those excessive Sunday penalties ... bring them in line with Saturday and increase the base rate," Mr Barnett said.
"If you are to grow employment in retail, tourism and hospitality, you have to make it attractive to be able to open businesses and supply full services."
Mr Barnett said he was not concerned his stance would make voters unhappy, two weeks from the election, saying the public was "more sensible than that".
"If the deal is increase the hourly rate and reduce the penalties, there will be more jobs and better services for West Australians," he said.
But the issue could become an election flashpoint, with Labor leader Mark McGowan declaring the Premier's stance "un-West Australian".
"He seems to love to put the boot into low-paid workers," Mr McGowan said.
"I think the Industrial Relations Commission itself should manage these issues without the threat of legislation."
The proposal did not appear to have universal support among government ranks, with Nationals leader Brendon Grylls voicing concern about "attacks" on penalty rates.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
- RSS
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证:沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证:31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证:0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证:沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证:沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.