WA business welcomes penalty rates schedule

Written on the 6 June 2017

Business looks forward to a boost in WA Day trade next year as a result of today's renewed commitment from the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to implement revised penalty rates for the retail and hospitality sectors.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia (CCI) has welcomed today's announcement that amended penalty rates will be phased in for the retail and hospitality industries over the next three to four years, starting 1 July 2017.

CCI Director of Advocacy Cath Langmead said the implementation schedule would give business owners much-needed certainty that the full suite of penalty rates changes would indeed go ahead as announced.

"The WA business community welcomes today's reaffirmation from the Fair Work Commission that reduced penalty rates will be implemented for the retail and hospitality sectors as planned," Ms Langmead said.

"These changes should see increased trade on WA Day next year, which will mean more employment opportunities for workers and more money spent in the economy.

"Reducing penalty rates on Sundays and Public Holidays will allow stores to open longer and ensure business owners can offer greater hours to younger staff, rather than working in the business themselves with WA youth unemployment at 14.7 per cent, this is a significant win for young West Australians looking to enter the workforce.

"CCI members have long told us that exorbitant penalty rates on Sundays and Public Holidays held their businesses back WA small businesses say inflated rates on these days stop them employing more staff and opening their doors for customers, which is bad for workers, patrons and the economy overall.

"CCI has continually called for a reduction in Sunday and Public Holiday penalty rates so we are pleased to see today's announcement from the Fair Work Commission that the previously flagged changes will go ahead, which will boost economic activity and create more employment opportunities for workers."