The General Workers' Union has maintained that workers in the catering sector should be paid according to the law like all other workers who work on public holidays that fall on Saturday or Sunday.

Workers in this industry have been denied double pay, the union said.

Employees who work on a roster basis and do not get paid double on a public holiday, while their leave is reduced, should be paid for an extra day, otherwise employers would be breaking the law, the union said.

The sector has met the Industrial Relations director where the matter was discussed and it was agreed that, in this case, these workers should be given an extra day's pay.

The GWU said it reserved the right to take the necessary action against the work places that do not follow the law.