Penalty rate cuts due to hit workers from Sunday will be a burden for those that work in pharmacies, hospitality and retail, with cost-of-living pressures rising, the Labor's workplace relations spokesman says.
"Last week...Malcolm Turnbull introduces legislation to give himself a $7000 tax cut. A $7000 tax cut for millionaires; wage cuts for low-paid, hardworking Australians isn't fair," Brendan O'Connor told reporters in Melbourne on Saturday.
"We have the lowest wage rises in 25 years. It really is unfair that we see cuts to real wages.
"Millions of workers in this country are struggling to make ends meet ... at a time when cost-of-living pressures are rising, pressures to make ends meet are acute, people are having difficulties paying the mortgate or paying rent, putting food on the table, paying for school fees or school uniforms."
The penalty rate cuts will particularly affect pharmacy staff, who will take a cut of more than $3200 a year.
Sunday and public holiday penalty rates for workers in the fast-food, retail, hospitality and pharmacy sectors will drop 10 to 15 per cent.
The Fair Work Commission cut Sunday penalty rates for hospitality, retail, pharmacy and fast food employees from July 1 last year.
UFS Pharmacies decided a year ago not to introduce the cuts.
Coburg staff member Olivia Douglas, who is also studying pharmacy part-time, told reporters her extra earnings from penalty rates were essential for her to be able to pay rent and bills.
