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There has been a mixed reaction in the Eurobodalla to the Productivity Commission’s recommendation to reduce Sunday penalty rates for some workers.
The Commission released its draft report this week, detailing a wide range of potential changes to workplace relations laws, including reducing Sunday penalty rates for café, retail and entertainment workers – usually double the base rate – to the Saturday rate.
While workers were once compensated for working on Sundays, because the community did not deem a seven-day working week necessary, demand for weekend services has grown.
The commission expected employment and hours worked on Sundays would grow as a result.
However Moruya Business Chamber president Steve Picton said the move was unlikely to have much effect, as Sundays were largely “business as usual” in Moruya.
“The majority of businesses are prepared to open on a Sunday,” Mr Picton said.
“When I’ve spoken to business owners before, who aren’t open on a Sunday, and asked why, quite a few said they still maintain that Sunday is a day of rest for them and their families.
“They’re family businesses and they want to maintain that day off.
“One business did say yes, that penalty rates does affect their decision, but I note that they’re not in business now.”
Owner of Batemans Bay’s North Street Café, Drew Tweedie, said his decision not to open the café on Sundays or public holidays was more about work-life balance.
“It’s a day off,” he said.
“I’ve got kids and a few other workers have kids, so we just close so everyone gets a day off to spend with their family.
“Sundays are generally pretty quiet in the Bay.”
Mr Tweedie said he didn’t much think about penalty rates.
“If someone works on a public holiday and the rate is double-time-and-a-half, you just pay them,” he said.
“I don’t really think about it, I just pay what they’re worth on that day.”