Almost 50,000 Newcastle and Hunter workers could be hurt by cuts to Sunday penalty rates according to new analysis.

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon said 47,500 people, or one in six workers, in the Newcastle-Hunter region work in the retail, food and accommodation industries that will be affected by the upcoming cuts.

“Unless the government stands up for Hunter workers and joins with Labor in stopping these cuts, affected workers stand to lose up to $77 a week,” Ms Claydon said.

“In Newcastle, retail is the second biggest industry, employing almost 13,000 people. Food and accommodation employs almost five and a half thousand people and is our fifth biggest industry.”

Ms Claydon said more than 60 conservative MPs, including the Prime Minister, have actively spoken in favour of these cuts to the lowest paid workers. 

“This is the thin edge of the wedge. Today it’s retail, food and accommodation, but if the cuts are waved through, workers’ pay rates in other industries will unquestionably be under threat,” Ms Claydon said. 

“Mr Turnbull needs to stand up for Australian workers by ensuring these cuts never come to pass.”

 Ms Claydon said Australia is seeing the lowest wage growth on record and questioned whether the cuts would have any impact on job creation.

 “Employers take on extra staff when there is greater demand for their products and services, not just because they are making bigger profits,” Ms Claydon said. 

“These cuts will not only hit the lowest-paid workers, they will rip millions out of regional economies as workers will now have less money to spend locally.

“Labor has tabled a Private Member’s Bill to prevent these proposed cuts to Sunday penalty rates as well as any future decisions that would reduce workers’ take-home pay. We only need one Liberal-National MP to cross the floor to stand up for Australian workers and these cuts won’t proceed.”