As it stands now, Swiss labour legislation forbids Sunday shop openings, with the exception of small family-operated shops, as well as stores located in tourist areas or in major train stations and airports.
Other than in those venues, shops are allowed to open only four Sundays a year.
The main reason for this restriction is to give retail employees time off from work, because Sunday is generally considered in Switzerland as a ‘day of rest’ when much of the country shuts down.
As Switzerland’s largest labour group, the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (UNIA), explained, “it is not acceptable to subject humans to the pursuit of profit by forcing them to work 7 days a week in sectors where it is not essential.”
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While Sunday closings are the bane of many foreign residents who come from countries where the 24/7 shopping is the norm, the work-life balance for retail workers has had a strong support of most Swiss consumers: time and again, the issue of Sunday shop openings is brought to the ballot box in various cantons and municipalities, and rejected by voters.
But this could soon change.
‘A moderate solution’
A commission of the Council of States said on October 22nd that it wants to give cantons the possibility of allowing their stores to open one Sunday per month.
For the members of the commission, this is a "moderate" solution that takes into account “the changing needs of the population” and also allows physical retailers to better withstand the competition from online vendors.
MPs have therefore validated the initiative submitted by the canton of Zurich, which aims to allow cantons to relax their Sunday shopping rules.
READ ALSO: Zurich bids to increase Sunday shopping
Calls to preserve the ‘day of rest’ tradition
Not everyone is in favour of the proposed move, however.
“For a large proportion of workers, Sunday is the only day off during the week. It allows them to rest, maintain relationships, and take part in activities,” according to Travail.Suisse labour union.
UNIA critical of expanded store openings as well, claiming it would be detrimental to retail personnel.
“More work on Sundays will lead to increased stress and health risks,” the union said.
How close is this proposal to actually being implemented?
It’s not a ‘done deal’ yet.
Since both chambers of the parliament must agree to change existing laws, the National Council must still weigh in on this issue.
Would you prefer more Sunday shopping in Switzerland or should it remain a day of "rest"? Share your views in the comments section below.
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