Latest news with #penaltyrates
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Unfair': Labor reveals penalty rates protection as priority when parliament returns
Pay for workers in female, part time and under-35 dominated industries will be the target of some of the first new laws under the new federal government. On Saturday, Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth announced laws to protect penalty rates and overtime pay for 2.6 million workers would be introduced in the coming weeks. 'If you rely on the modern award safety net and work weekends, public holidays, early mornings or late nights, you deserve to have your wages protected,' Ms Rishworth said. 'We want this law passed as a top priority, so workers are protected from the loopholes that see their take-home pay go backwards.' People covered by award rates are more likely to be women, work part time, be under 35 years of age or employed on casual contracts, Ms Rishworth said. The proposed law would add rules to the Fair Work Act, so penalty rates and overtime cannot be rolled up into a single rate of pay where it leaves any individual worker worse off. Speaking in Canberra on Saturday, Ms Rishworth stood alongside retail workers who said their penalty rates were 'really important' in paying for groceries and school fees. Retail worker Daniel said he was paid about $85 in penalty rates each week, equalling $4240 a year. 'I've been in retail for 17 years … That money often pays for vets, dentists, doctors and food. 'Generally, I find living on six to $700 a week is a struggle, whether you've got a partner to rely on or not. 'Penalty rates honestly make a huge difference, and without it, I'd have to work more. See my family less, see my dog less, see my friends less,' he said. 'Just not go to the movies, not ever have a holiday. It's a myriad of things that would affect me.' Ms Rishworth said the new legislation was prompted by 'a number of cases' where penalty rates were being reduced 'in an unfair way'. Retail, clerical and banking sector companies had made moves to trade away penalty rates for lower-paid workers, she said, leaving those staff worse off. 'Enterprise bargaining is the appropriate place to negotiate on entitlements – not eroding the award safety net,' Ms Rishworth said. Labor needs only the support of the Greens in the senate to pass legislation, sidelining the other minor parties and independents who held sway in the previous parliament's upper house.
ABC News
04-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Brisbane Star Entertainment casino workers to strike over pay negotiations amid ongoing financial woes
Hundreds of workers at Star's Brisbane casino are set to walk off the job, saying the entertainment group has proposed cutting penalty rates as it faces financial woes. United Workers Union president Jo Schofield said staff would take protected industrial action from 4pm to 6pm after Star failed to bring a "reasonable offer" to the bargaining table. "They have been forced into this position because of the failure of Star to recognise the cost-of-living pressures [workers] are under, but also the skills, commitment and loyalty workers have shown to the company during what has been an incredibly tumultuous time," she said. A spokesperson for The Star said they were "disappointed" workers were taking industrial action as it would impact visitors. "The Star has been doing everything possible to secure a stable financial future that will provide security for its workers, customers, suppliers, investors, and other stakeholders," they said. The spokesperson said The Star had been in "long and challenging" negotiations with unions in Brisbane. "We have been flexible, diligent, and measured in making an offer that adds wage growth for team members whilst absolutely stretching the financials of the business," they said. "We value all team members and offer excellent employee benefits. "We are disappointed that protected industrial action will be taken — as this action impacts all visitors that arrive to The Star Brisbane seeking memorable hospitality experiences." The future of the Brisbane casino has been in doubt for months with Star Entertainment's shares plummeting in February and the company failing to post its financial results in March. It entered into a deal with Hong Kong investors in early March, after months of warnings about its financial future. However, on Monday Hong Kong investors Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium threatened to walk away from an agreement to buy Star's stake in the Queen's Wharf casino and hotel complex for $53 million. The two firms issued Star with a notice to terminate the deal, which will come into effect on Monday unless it is withdrawn within five business days. Last week, Star shareholders separately approved a $300 million rescue deal backed by US casino giant Bally's and existing investor Bruce Mathieson. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said he was worried about Star's operations and would continue to support staff. "Whatever iteration it takes in the future, our only concern is that the doors stay open and that people can go to work during that transition of ownership or whatever that looks like," he said. "We just want workers to have a job."
SBS Australia
30-06-2025
- Business
- SBS Australia
SBS News in Filipino, Monday 30 June 2025
Australian workers on the minimum wage will receive a pay increase from tomorrow, with Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth also pledging to protect penalty rates. Penny Wong heads to the US for a meeting with Marco Rubio Torrential rain and potential floods forecast for parts of Victoria and New South Wales LISTEN TO SBS Filipino 30/06/2025 05:23 Filipino 📢 Where to Catch SBS Filipino
