Employers warn Labor’s push to lock in penalty rates is bad for business – but it’s not that simple

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The Albanese government is pushing ahead with new legislation to protect penalty rates and overtime for about 2.6 million workers under the award system. Those workers are more likely to be female, younger and work casual or part-time.

Penalty rates are higher rates of pay to compensate for working overtime or at unsociable hours, such as weekends, late nights or public holidays.