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The initiators of the ban say the goal is not only to allow retail workers to stay with their families, but to control the spread of the coronavirus. Merchants claim that this would harm employees and harm buyers’ interests.
Remigijus Žemaitaitis, a member of the mixed group of members of the Seimas, proposes to prohibit merchants from working on the last Sundays and holidays of the month, Algirdas Butkevičius proposes to prohibit working on Sundays and holidays in large supermarkets, and the Social Democrat Rasa Budbergytė believes that shops could run until 3pm on Sundays.
R. Žemaitaitis says that people who work during vacations miss the opportunity to mention vacations, participate in events, commemorations, or spend time with their families. It highlights that restrictions on the work of traders would help manage the coronavirus crisis.
According to him, the insurance is also offered in view of complaints from employees that they are not being paid properly for their work. He told BNS that his wages “had not gone up as much as they could have gone up” in the past two years.
According to the MP, claims by merchants that sellers work weekends because they want to make extra money are not true.
“How many people worked on Monday-Saturday and how many on Sundays? Some supermarkets work a continuous schedule, exploiting employees by paying them a minimum or just a little more. For the same salaries in small shops, the cashiers not only work at the checkouts, but also clean the aisles, load and handle the goods, “the parliamentarian told BNS.
He also lacks public information on the salaries of supermarket workers: “What a basic salary, not how much depends on box office sales and bonuses received and how many hours a week he works.”
Customer flows would increase on business days
Rosvita Kaziūnienė, an employee of a large shoe store in Vilnius, told BNS that if work is prohibited on weekends, on certain holidays or if the opening hours of stores are shortened, the traffic may increase on days normal, especially at night.
“If it were closed on weekends, more people would come on other days. After all, the biggest flows are constantly immediately after work, especially before holidays,” he said.
Why not buy through Jonines? Not all ions or janins, not all have something to celebrate that day, ”said the woman.
R. Kaziūnienė suggests imagining what would happen if the merchants did not work for two Last Days.
Norfa’s spokeswoman, Darius Ryliškis, says that any restrictions must be adopted in the public interest. According to him, not working for two days at Easter would affect buyers.
“The offer of not working for all holidays, 16 working days, has not been discussed with the public, which is not in the interest of society – merchants, store employees, buyers,” he told BNS.
For several years, Norfa stores have been closed during Easter, the first day of Christmas, as well as the New Year.
According to S. Ryliškis, Norfa’s managers are convinced that initially the Sunday working hours could be reduced, for example, to 3 in the afternoon.
“It just came to our notice then. If we see that wrong, we back off and there is nothing terrible here.” If it’s right for the people, you can step forward and try to ban Sunday trading altogether, and again see if it’s suitable for people, “he said.
Vaida Budrienė, Director of Communications, noted that during the coronavirus crisis, store opening hours are not reduced. This allows buyers to shop safely as traffic is spread throughout the day.
“They themselves are not willing to buy only during the week. Many go shopping on weekends and holidays,” he said.
According to V. Budrienė, students want to work on weekends.
I would accept exceptions
R. Žemaitaitis does not rule out that it is possible to propose a procedure according to which not all stores would be closed, it only requires that the Government establish conditions.
“It determines by area, by other parameters, because in the Labor Code of places, the time to include does not make sense. Small family stores could work. If we had a local store in town, it would not be forbidden to work, ”said the parliamentarian.
He admits that a ban on the operation of supermarkets would prevent the operation of pizzerias, cafes, ice rinks or cinemas: “But on Sundays, people should allow themselves to rest.”
Trade unionists celebrate the ambition to limit the operation of supermarkets on Sundays and holidays. Competition officials have stated that the restrictions would have negative consequences for consumers and limit their choice.
If the Seimas adopts the proposed amendments, supermarkets would not be open on January 1, February 16, March 11, Easter, May 1, Mother’s and Father’s Days, June 24, July 6, 15 of August. November 1 and 2 and during Christmas and Christmas.
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