Under South Australian law, the day after Good Friday is considered a public holiday, despite having no religious significance.
Consumers expect businesses to be open on Sundays and public holidays. However, between Good Friday and Easter Monday employers face four days of public holiday or Sunday penalty rates if they choose to open. Understandably, many will keep their doors closed.
South Australian small business, Whistle & Flute is one such employer facing this dilemma. This business prides itself on customer service and high quality staffing, however it is simply not viable for the business to open this Saturday, ‘the day after Good Friday’.
Unfortunately, this means employees cannot work and customers cannot be served.
Joint owner, Jamie Botten said that with Saturday being a public holiday he would not be able to provide work for the eight employees Whistle & Flute needs in order to open because doing so would result in the business trading at a loss.
Australia’s penalty rates are hamstringing Whistle & Flute’s ability to provide work and to serve customers this Saturday.
“The damage done by Australia’s outdated penalty rates is being felt by workers, employers and consumers this weekend. The Commission’s decision must be implemented,” the South Australian Business Chamber Executive Director Industry and Government Engagement, Anthony Penney said today.
“The Saturday following Good Friday is just another Saturday, it has no reason to be a public holiday.”
“Workers and consumers will miss out the most this weekend.”
“Workers will not have the opportunity to work their shifts, missing out on an entire day’s wages. Consumers will not be able to shop when the business is closed. Everybody loses out.”
“These are the real victims of the politically motivated campaign against the penalty rates decision,” Mr Penney said today.
“The penalty rates decision was a win for South Australia’s unemployed and underemployed, and for South Australian consumers.”
“The Commission’s decision and independence must not be castrated by those simply trying to score political points.”
“Sunday and public holiday penalty rates need to be updated. Australia’s high penalty rates are stifling employment and hurt consumers,” Mr Penney said.
