Supermarkets should be open for less time at closing – economy

In view of recent measures to contain the pandemic in Austria, the social partners in trade – the business division of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and the private employees’ union, printing, journalism, paper, GPA-djp – have decided to adjust temporarily opening hours for the period of exit restrictions. Release. Now that the social partners have reached an agreement, an ordinance from the Ministry of Health is needed to guarantee legal certainty for the regulation of opening hours.

“With this solution, we want to give our employees, mostly women, the opportunity to be home in time for the start of exit restrictions. Many are dependent on public transportation and do not have a car. The way home should not be converted into a security trap, “said the GPA president. -djp, Barbara Teiber.

Hours until 7:00 p.m.

“With this agreement, retailers are making a significant contribution to support the measures taken by the federal government. Even in the first lockdown, the temporary adjustment of opening hours has proven its value. This means that the capacity of the staff in the Retail trade and thus security of supply for all Austrians can be guaranteed even better, “says WKÖ Commercial Division President Rainer Trefelik.

In particular, the social partners want to limit the evening opening hours to 7pm. Stores should not be allowed to open in the morning before the time that this store normally opens on this business day.

The organization of work (preparation of the opening of the company, reworking at the end of the activity) and the division of working hours must take into account the special needs of the employees. This particularly refers to travel to and from home and compliance with prescribed exit restrictions.

Social partners strive to employ employees for longer and continuous periods of time and to take into account the special needs of travelers, employees with childcare responsibilities and family members in need of care.