Labor moves to bolster penalty rates and overtime pay protections for millions of workers

The employment minister, Amanda Rishworth, says the intent is to make it ‘clear in law that penalty rates and overtime rates should be protected’. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

Workers who rely on award wages would have their rights to penalty rates and overtime pay protected under one of the first pieces of legislation to be introduced to the new federal parliament.

The changes to the Fair Work Act would effectively ensure workers paid under awards cannot have their penalty rates reduced in return for a higher rate of base pay if it leaves workers worse off.