Public holidays in South Australia (SA) are being reviewed as major unions push to add Easter Sunday to their list.
On Monday, the SA government asked residents to voice their opinions on the holiday through a new survey as it moves to make Christmas a day, regardless of when Christmas Day falls.
If a public holiday in South Africa falls on a Saturday, it will be moved to the following Monday, so some workers will not be penalized.
Labor has amended the holiday law for the first time since 2012, pledging both Saturday and Monday to be public holidays if December 25 falls on a Saturday.
But shops, distributors and the Allied Employees Association have upped the ante, asking them to join the list of official holidays on Easter Sunday.
South Australia is the only mainland state or territory that does not recognize Easter Sunday as a public holiday, which trade unions said was causing a shortage of workers.
“Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales, ACT and Western Australia have corrected. It’s time for South Australia to do so,” said SDA spokesman Jordan Mumford. .
“It is only fair that workers in South Australia can choose to spend Easter Sunday with family and friends or benefit from holiday penalties.”
South Australia has 13 public holidays each year, including Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve Part Day.
A month-long study by the government will help shape its approach to amending the law before it is announced and then submitted to parliament.
“The Labor Government is committed to protecting the rights of workers in South Australia,” said Kyam Maher, SA Industrial Relations and Public Sector.
“Our legislation will ensure that we avoid the unfair situation many workers experienced under the former Liberal government, where they were not penalized for working on Christmas Day 2021.”
Australian Associated Press is an Australian news agency.