WA pharmacy workers will be up to $3082 a year worse off following this weekend’s cut to Sunday penalty rates.

Fast-food, retail, hospitality and pharmacy employees will lose 10 to 15 per cent of their Sunday and public holiday penalty rates from tomorrow after the Fair Work Commission’s decision last year to phase in reductions over the next few years.

Unions claim the cut will affect about 700,000 workers across the country, including 60,000 West Australians.

Pharmacy employees will be the hardest hit by the change in WA, with Federal Opposition analysis of the impact in different industries showing they stand to lose $59 out of their weekly pay packet.

Staff in the retail sector would miss out on about $44.40 a week, or $2307 a year. The State’s hospitality workers face a $2307 annual wage hit, while it could cost fast- food employees up to $1511 a year.

Workplace relations is shaping as a key battleground for the next Federal election, with Labor having this week introduced legislation in Parliament seeking to restore Sunday penalty rates.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has accepted Fair Work’s decision and has argued it will lead to more employment opportunities.

With personal income tax cuts for higher income earners having passed the Senate last week, Shadow workplace relations minister Brendan O’Connor took aim at the Prime Minister for supporting the cuts.

“Last week, millionaires got a $7000 tax cut. This Sunday, workers’ penalty rates will be cut again,” Mr O’Connor said.

Business groups have argued penalty rates have a serious impact on the ability of small and medium-sized firms to operate at weekends. According to the Business Council of Australia, the reduction in rates was needed to reflect a 24/7 economy and that Sunday hours were no more unsociable than Saturdays.