“I pity the people who will be under pressure to work on Sundays, I really hope they will have the choice.” If Graham, a 36-year-old resident, is delighted to soon be able to shop more often on Sundays, he sympathizes with those who will have to work to open businesses. “In the past, I have worked on Sundays, but I didn’t enjoy it. At the time, it was to make more money,” says the man who grew up in an English-speaking country.
The Governing Council approved on Wednesday a bill which extends the possible opening hours in commerce and crafts, on Sundays, but also during the week. This decision is not unanimous among the residents interviewed on Wednesday in Luxembourg City. While many would like to be able to shop more often on Sundays, they have a thought for the employees. “I like going shopping on Sundays, because it’s quieter, but I pity the people who have to work,” says Joël, 52 years old.
Others have a more decided opinion on Sunday work. “I find it good that in Luxembourg everyone agrees that Sunday is a day of rest and that should not change. The stores are already open on Saturday, that’s enough of a day to do your shopping,” says Pierre, 31 years old. However, young expatriate Yana, 23, does not share his opinion. “For me, the fact that stores are not open on Sundays is one of the worst disadvantages of living in Luxembourg. Before living here, I used to do my shopping on Sundays, and in the evenings until 9 p.m..”
Pascal, 31, has also already had to work on Sundays in the business as an optician. “I really hated working on Sundays. Of course, there are fewer people on the road and we are paid differently, but especially in commerce, we often also work on Saturdays. So there are no more days left that we can spend with our family.” He might consider working on Sunday, if he was on the weekend on Saturday. “But even for a boss, I don’t see the advantage of making people work on Sundays, you have to pay them more, and there are fewer people who come,” concludes the Luxembourger.
An “encouraging but insufficient” step for the Luxembourg Confederation
Luxembourg Confederation “welcomes” the announcement from the Ministry of the Economy concerning the bill aimed at reforming the opening hours of businesses. But the employers’ organization bringing together 22 federations from the service, commerce and transport sectors (more than 1,800 member companies) believes that “complete liberalization” of timetables is essential to allow traders to fully compete with international giants. of online commerce.
“With 70% of Luxembourgers declaring that they buy regularly online, often in the evening or on weekends, it is crucial to offer them more flexible local alternatives,” she believes. This is an encouraging step, but insufficient for Luxembourg trade.
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