ZAGREB, Oct 27, 2020 – The crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic is not a good time to impose additional restrictions on shop hours, but if Sunday work should be restricted, it should be done gradually for at least a year to allow for adjustment, the Croatian Employers Association (HUP) said on Tuesday.
“Retailers are already facing a reduced business activity, an inability to plan for the future and uncertainties brought about by this crisis. A potential loss of jobs caused by such a decision would only further exacerbate the crisis,” HUP said in a press release.
HUP expects the downward trend in sales to continue on account of declining consumer confidence, a deteriorating labour market and a change in consumer habits.
If the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development goes ahead with restricting Sunday work, HUP recommends that a time limit of at least one year after the entry into force of the new bill be provided to allow for adjustment, HUP said.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has recently announced that during its present term in office the government will put forward a bill on Sunday work seeking a balance between not working on Sundays and allowing shops to operate on a certain number of Sundays a year for the sake of tourism and the economy as a whole.
According to the latest data from the national statistical office, retail sales in Croatia fell by 8.6% in August 2020 compared with August 2019, declining for six consecutive months year on year due to the corona crisis.
