Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has backed penalty rates for employees who work on public holidays.
Mr Albanese took to Twitter on Boxing Day to voice his support for workers.
"If you're working today, you deserve your penalty rates," he wrote.
Appearing alongside Mr Albanese in a photo posted to Twitter on Monday, Labor assistant minister Patrick Gorman held a sign saying "no one deserves a serve".
Mr Gorman said he supported the SDA union's campaign to treat workers in retail with respect during the busy summer sale period.
"This year, and every year I back the ... campaign 'No One Deserves a Serve'," he wrote.
"Keep this message in mind as you head to the shops today."
In a joint statement Australia's peak retail body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), and the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) have revealed shocking reports of abuse directed towards workers which include flashing, threats of physical violence, verbal abuse, and death threats during the Christmas trading period.
Workers have been on the receiving end of verbal and physical abuse when customers were denied discounts, and one employee reported that a customer pulled a knife on them in the store.
"Nobody deserves to cop a spray for doing their job. We are simply pleading for mutual respect between staff and shoppers," ARA chief executive Paul Zahra said.
"Christmas should be a time of peace and joy for all."
