Penalty rates cut to hit younger workers

Editor's note

The Fair Work Commission yesterday cut penalty rates for Sundays and public holidays, a decision that could cost some workers as much as $4000 per year.

The hardest hit will be young workers, as 40% rely on these rates to survive. As Shirley Jackson explains, this follows in the long tradition of undervaluing young employees who suffer costs to their family life and health due to working outside conventional hours.

And although the Fair Work decision is independent of government the politics are likely to be tricky. Michelle Grattan points out today that Bill Shorten paved the way for the decision when workplace relations minister. Despite this, the hit to lower paid workers will create a weakness for Labor to exploit, one that could spell trouble for the Turnbull government.

Misha Ketchell

Managing Editor

Top story

Hospitality workers, along with fast food and retail workers, will have Sunday and public holiday rates cut under the decision. Lukas Coch/AAP

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