The Federal Government’s Productivity Commission has recommended changes to weekend penalty rates, proposing Sunday rates be reduced to equal Saturday’s time-and-a-half payments.
The recommendations would affect workers in the entertainment, hospitality and retail sectors.
Coffs Harbour Chamber of Commerce president George Cecato agrees with the commission’s findings, saying the recommendation to reduce Sunday penalty rates is “100% correct”.
Mr Cecato believes the change would benefit the affected workers.
“I believe they’ll get more work on the reduced rate,” he said.
“Also it will give the opportunity to small business owners to trade on Sundays and public holidays which normally they don’t trade on now because they can’t afford the wages.”
The commission did not recommend any changes to overtime penalty rates, night penalty rates or shift loadings.
Employment minister Michaelia Cash said the government would consider the recommendations, and take them to the next election if they were found to be fair and sensible changes.