Retailers lobby to cut Sunday penalty rates by half

The retail industry wants penalty rates halved for Sundays in the latest attempt to reduce labour costs, as more companies announce job losses and store closures.

But this comes as trade unions are pushing for even higher penalty rates and the right for casual staff to request permanent positions, a push led by the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

Australian Retailers Association executive director Russell Zimmerman said the body will lobby the Fair Work Australia’s Modern Awards Review to reduce Sunday penalty rates by half.

“Our surveys are telling us that Sundays are the busiest day of the trading week. We’re looking for a reduction from double-time to time-and-a-half in order to keep jobs and flexible hours.”

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