Turnbull asked to commit to penalty rates

Unions want the Turnbull government to commit to keeping penalty rates as they are, following a draft recommendation to have one weekend rate in the hospitality and retail industries.

The Productivity Commission had until Monday to give its final report into a review of the workplace relations scheme to the federal government.

"It's time for the government to stand up for ordinary Australians and protect their living standards," ACTU president Ged Kearney said in a statement, arguing workers should be rewarded for working weekends.