More and more retail organisations and bodies, are steadily coming forward to express their opposition to the government’s plans to increase to 30, the number of Sundays that retail outlets will be allowed to open, in the bigger and busier tourist areas of the Country.
The measure being planned by the Greek government is in an effort to reach a compromise with the Country’s creditors, who are demanding a deregulation of retail trading hours and that compromise appears to be, the proposal of “Sometimes on Sunday” – do you remember the Melina Mercouri song “Never on Sundays”?
The State Council, one of Greece’s supreme courts, has already issued a ruling on the matter, stating that it is unconstitutional for retail shops to trade on Sundays, with the exception of specific areas of tourist interest.
The current law allows for retail shops to trade on eight Sundays a year, but during negotiations, the Greek government and the creditors tried to find a compromise by extending the officially proclaimed tourist season by a month and reconsidering the criteria according to which an area is deemed tourist-oriented.
Locally, the Traders Association of Agios Nikolaos has announced a protest meeting for 10am this Sunday 7th May 2017 in the Main Square, where they are hoping to see a turnout from both the retailers themselves, but from local residents who are also opposed to the proposal.
In addition, two major Companies that operate in Crete and belong to the retail food sector, have issued written statements expressing their position on the issue. The Supermarket chains Phaistos and Halkiadakis point out their disagreement with the proposal, which they say will take away the right of workers to a dedicated day of rest on Sunday.
It now remains to be seen, what the government will decide in the face of the almost catholic opposition seen so far, against the planned bill.
Partial source: Neos Kosmos
