Hundreds of thousands of Australian workers will have a bitter sweet taste in their mouths this Easter with it marking the final major holiday period before penalty rate cuts take hold.
Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus says the controversial cuts in the hospitality, retail, fast food and pharmacy sectors will cost workers $10 million a day over Easter next year.
"This is $10 million that won't be spent on families and in small businesses and $10 million that won't be taxed," Ms McManus told reporters on Thursday.
"That's a very conservative figure and we think in reality it will be higher."
The ACTU says next Easter workers will be $30 million worse off, and the cuts will go straight to the bottom line of big companies.
The government has estimated 300,000 to 450,000 workers will be affected by cuts recommended by the Fair Work Commission.
However the federal opposition says up to 700,000 people who rely on Sunday and public holiday penalty rates will be directly hit by the changes, which could also flow on to other workers.
"Seventy-eight economists said last week that this pay cut will increase inequality in Australia and that is something we do not want," Ms McManus said.
Retail worker Tiz Ranjo said it's not fair that she will have to sacrifice spending time with her family over Easter for less pay.
"These penalty rates keep me afloat and keep me going, it's just not fair" Ms Ranjo told reporters on Thursday.
"This will have a huge impact on my family budget."
The penalty rate cuts are due to be implemented on July 1.
