Sunday
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Northern Europe
Norwegian Trade Union will crack down on stores that open on Sunday
The Trade Association Handel og Kontor (HK) in Norway wants to punish stores that open on Sunday illegally. HK head Espen Berntsen is in favour of giving “stinging fines” to shop owners who refuse to close their doors on Sunday. He believes that the main problem currently is that police…
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Southern Europe
Portuguese Catholics fight to bring back the “work-free Sunday”
A Catholic organisation in Portugal wants to revive the idea of a “work-free Sunday”. The Liga Operária Católica (LOC/MTC) said to Ecclesia that the “work-free Sunday” is a necessary measure to protect the lives of families. “The fight for a work-free Sunday, more than fair, is necessary, so that there…
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Southern Europe
Croatia's Sunday closing law set to take effect
The government in Croatia wants to place more restrictions on Sunday shopping. According to reporting from N1, the final draft of the nation's Trade Act was sent to parliament last Thursday. If passed, shops would have to be closed on Sundays and holidays. However, the government has set a maximum…
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Central Europe
Catholic entrepreneurs in Germany against more shopping hours on Sunday
In the past, it was the Liberal FDP that in Germany called for more shopping hours on Sundays. Currently, the Christian Democratic CDU in the city of Cologne is pleading for trading facilities. The Federation of Catholic Entrepreneurs thinks it is better not to go for this. Opening your shop…
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Central Europe
Austrian stores might close on Sunday to lower energy costs
In Austria, several large retail chains are considering closing their stores on Sunday to save on their energy bill. The Sunday Alliance welcomes this development. The measure does not only reduce energy costs but also relieves employees who are under increasing pressure due to a shortage of people, the Sonntagsallianz…
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Central Europe
Sunday is for prayer, not for shopping, says Polish government
The Polish government is organising a roundtable with trade industry representatives about the Sunday closure. That is reported by Businessinsider. Especially Marlena Malag, the Minister of Family, stresses that the Sunday, as the most important day of the week, is for family and prayer, and not for spending in the…
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Southern Europe
In Montenegro, working on Sundays might be discriminating
The Montenegrin Ministry of Economic Development announced on Thursday that traders registered as entrepreneurs and small shops with up to nine employees are allowed to work on Sundays. According to the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce, that is discriminating towards largers businesses. Because of the new amendments of the Ministry, the…
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Western Europe
Dutch government protects retailer against forced Sunday work
The Dutch government is going to protect shopkeepers from forced openings on Sundays. A change in the law has the support from the Lower House. Underminister Mona Keijzer (Economic Affairs) proposed that shop holders could not be forced by the owner or an association of shopkeepers to work on Sunday.…