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According to unofficial information, the authorities have not abandoned the idea of abolishing the ban on Sunday trading. It is not yet known when the changes would come into force. However, the Civic Coalition plans to keep its pre-election promise, and the Ministry of Labor already has a plan.
Before the elections, the current ruling coalition promised to restore the situation before March 1, 2018 and eliminate the trade ban, although political parties proposed various variants of this solution. There is still political will to do so, but not much is happening yet. In an interview with the MondayNews news agency, the Civic Coalition confirms that it will lift the ban on trading on Sundays. He adds that each employee will be provided with two weekends off a month and double remuneration for work on days off.
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– It looks like we’re about to change the regulations. And this is rather good news for consumers, or at least for nearly 50 percent. Poles, i.e. supporters of lifting the ban. If this comes true, we will see a small revolution on the market. However, it is not known how retailers will react then. After all, we are talking about double remuneration here, which – as I understand it – will be passed on to the employer. Alternatively, the government should find some other solution, but I rather expect that this obligation will be transferred to the employer – predicts Robert Biegaj.
The trade ban will be lifted, but first there will be a discussion
“There is no work carried out in the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy regarding changes in the above-mentioned area” – this was the answer Business Insider received at the beginning of February from the Ministry of Labor headed by Agnieszka Dziemanowicz-Bąk. As reported by MondayNews, the ministry believes that any possible changes to the amendment to the Act on restricting trade on Sundays and holidays and certain other days should be preceded by a broad discussion, including: with social partners, i.e. representatives of representative employers’ organizations and trade unions in the Social Dialogue Council. Moreover, it is necessary to assess the possible impact of introducing possible new solutions, including: on the public finance sector, on the competitiveness of the economy and entrepreneurship, including the functioning of entrepreneurs and on the labor market, the situation of employees and their families.
Experts on the subject assess the ministry’s position as quite enigmatic, but heralding a vision of change. However, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy does not say whether and when changes will take place. It does not indicate whether any steps are being taken in this regard. It only lists the actions that need to be performed. But this is unlikely to happen quickly, because the government has many more important issues on its current agenda. But if the restoration of Sunday trading is delayed, the percentage of supporters will continue to decline. In the opinion of an expert from the Offerista Group, it is difficult to expect that the number of people supporting the return of all trading Sundays will drop below the 40% threshold.
– There is a certain percentage of society that would still be bothered by this, especially Poles living in large cities. The lifestyle there is different than in small towns or villages – emphasizes Robert Biegaj. – Undecided people are more likely to stay in the same position because nothing will happen in this matter that could shape their views. In the near future, there will definitely be no more supporters of restoring all free Sundays for trading – adds the expert.
The industry is not unanimous
The business itself is divided on the issue of assessing the liberalization of the Sunday trading ban. Shopping centers strongly support this. – Such facilities should be open at hours that are attractive to customers and tenants. In this matter, we support the expectations and demands of entities operating in shopping centers and parks – says Krzysztof Poznański, managing director of the Polish Council of Shopping Centers (PRCH). – Restoring the possibility of trading on Sundays would mean that Poland would once again join the majority of EU countries that do not interfere with the possibility of opening shops on that day – adds an expert from PRCH.
No restrictions apply, for example, in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Hungary (they lifted the restrictions after the period of restrictions), as well as in Italy. On this occasion, PRCH draws attention to the fact that such a change would allow for an increase in employment in trade by up to 20-40 thousand. people. In addition, it would increase its turnover by approximately 4%. and would bring additional tax revenues to the state.
– Research shows that the discussion about shopping Sundays still arouses strong emotions in Polish society, leading to a clear polarization of positions – says Renata Juszkiewicz, president of the management board of the Polish Organization of Trade and Distribution (POHiD). – There is a clear division between supporters of the complete abolition of the trade ban and strong opponents of this solution. A slight percentage advantage among supporters of trading on all Sundays a month is probably a reflection of political sympathies – adds the president of POHiD.
Returning to the results of the last survey, it is worth emphasizing that the authors of the study asked Poles about trading on all Sundays, and not, for example, one Sunday a month. According to experts, if it were a compromise, the structure of the results would look slightly different. However, the difference could be around 5%. to the benefit of supporters.
– The question about the respondents’ attitude towards trading on all Sundays a month did not leave the respondents free to express other preferences. It could have provoked negative responses among people who were in favor of one or two shopping Sundays a month – sums up Renata Juszkiewicz.
