The federal government is opposed to suggestions from retailers to change wage terms for employees over $67,000.
The federal government says it opposes retailers’ push to amend the Retail Industry Award (GRIA), claiming that the changes undermine workers’ protections.
The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) will revise the awards to relax roster rules, allow split shifts and allow managers over $67,000 to choose fixed pay at the cost of the penalty rate. I had applied to.
“Paycut in a flexible manner”
Employment Minister Murray Watt said the government would not wait as retailers tried to cut penalty rates.
“The Albanese government has worked very hard to move wages again over the past three years,” Watt told ABC News.
Watt cited the latest ABS data to demonstrate his claims.
“We’ve got a new figure that shows the average full-time Australian worker is making $206 more per week than he was under the coalition,” he said.
He further emphasized that working on weekends must be compensated.
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“I think we all realize that weekends are still important in this country. Weekends are when we get together with our families. That’s when people have weddings. The grand final is It’s when it’s scheduled. And those who give up on the weekend to feed us and dress us, and dress us, should be rewarded for night work and overtime So you should be rewarded for that,” he said.
Retailers defend proposals
The ARA claims that the change will modernize retail awards without forcing workers to confiscate penalty rates, as long as they voluntarily opt for higher pay arrangements.
“This choice and flexibility coincides with the transition to a more flexible way of working,” said Fleur Brown, ARA’s Chief Industrial Affairs Officer.
Brown dismissed the claim that the proposal would remove the penalty rate entirely.
“There are no suggestions to remove penalty rates, overtime, or paid breaks from the award. Managers can opt for wage increases by choosing the voluntary pay absorption option, which I agree with. It only applies to employees,” Brown said.
Watt acknowledged the need for changes to the awards system, but insisted that pay cuts should not be at the expense of it.
“We accept that we can simplify the award system, but we can simplify the award without cutting down the pay of workers. That’s the principle here,” he said.
Watt challenges Dutton to stand up
Watt also challenged opposition leader Peter Dutton to clarify his stance.
“They have already said that if they win the next election, they will scrap the various changes they made to the workplace law. Peter Dutton needs to tell Australians, and he says. If he wins the election, will he support our submission or will he support these pay cuts alongside the big corporations?” Watt said.
The Fair Labor Commission will hear applications for the ARA in March 2025.
