Restoring Trade on Sundays – Shops have placed 1 condition

Restoring trade on Sundays is simply a subject that gives quite a few excitement to both entrepreneurs and consumers. Six years after the ban on trade on Sundays, the discussion on this subject takes on renewed intensity. The Association of Polish Trade and Services Employers (ZPPHiU) proposed a condition that they thought could satisfy both parties: shortening working time on Sundays. What are the arguments for this solution and what are the consequences? Let's take a closer look.

History of the Ban on Trade on Sunday

The ban on trade on Sundays has been in force in Poland since 1 March 2018. The intent of this law was to defend trade workers and to advance leisure time with family. The provisions supply for 32 exceptions, including the anticipation of trading in petrol stations, florists, pastry shops or ice cream shops. For breaking the ban, they endanger severe penalties ranging from PLN 1000 to PLN 100,000 and, in the case of persistent violations, the punishment of restrictions on freedom.

Consumer and economical Change

According to ZPPHiU, consumer habits and expectations have changed since the ban was introduced. The CEO of ZPPHiU, Zofia Morbiato, stresses that the return of trade on Sundays should be analysed in depth and the beginning hours of shops adapted to the current needs of customers.

Proposal for Shortening beginning Hours

According to the ZPPHiU, working time on Sundays should be shorter than before the ban. They propose an eight-hour working day on Sundays, which would let for a better adjustment of the time of the trading facilities to the customers' purchasing needs, while limiting utmost morning and evening beginning hours.

Benefits for Entrepreneurs

A shorter time for commercial facilities on Sunday would besides benefit entrepreneurs. It would reduce the cost of common services specified as safety and cleaning of buying centres. Morbiato notes that the owners of the malls did not reduce the common costs or rents for tenants after the ban on trade on Sundays. The return of commercial Sundays without increases in costs could so be beneficial for both the owners of the shops and their tenants.

Social aspects of restoring trade on Sunday

Arguments for restoring trade

Supporters of the re-establishment of trade on Sundays argue that this would let greater flexibility in the planning of purchases, especially for those working in the mode from Monday to Friday. The introduction of a shorter working day on Sundays could be a compromise that will satisfy both parties – allowing purchases on Sundays while respecting free time for trade workers.

Adversaries of the Restoration of Trade

Opponents to reconstruct trade on Sundays fear that this may lead to exploitation of workers and a simplification in the time they can spend with their family. They besides argue that the current government favours tiny local shops which are exempted from the ban, which supports local trade.

Legislative proposals

At the end of March 2024, Polish MPs 2050 submitted a bill in the Sejm to mitigate restrictions on trade on Sundays. The proposal provides for 2 commercial Sundays per period and a double wage for work on those days. Employers would besides be required to designate a day off for the worker 6 days before or after the working day on Sunday.

Possible Effects of the Act

Such changes could, on the 1 hand, increase flexibility for consumers and entrepreneurs and, on the another hand, require careful monitoring to avoid abuses against workers. Double pay for work on Sundays could besides increase the attractiveness of labour in trade on those days.

Restoring trade on Sundays is simply a subject that requires careful consideration and consideration of many aspects – from consumer expectations, business interests, to workers' rights. The proposal to shorten the beginning hours of shops on Sundays may be a compromise that will satisfy the majority of stakeholders. Regardless of the decision taken, it is crucial that it be preceded by an in-depth analysis and public consultation so that it responds best to the needs of the modern marketplace and society.

Let us hope that further debates and legislative proposals will be conducted in a spirit of dialog and seeking the best solutions for all parties. In this way we can make a more balanced and fairer strategy of trade on Sundays, which will respond to the changing needs and challenges of modern times.