Sunday trading debate postponed
Governing party still split on pushing through new legislation to allow more shops to open and more staff to work.
A DEBATE and vote to open up Sunday trading laws has been postponed until next year.
While the official reason has been the delay in passing public broadcasting reforms – the UMP governing party has struggled to find a common line on the issue.
The debate was due to have begun this week but Sarkozy – who is pushing for the reform – has provoked a backlash in his own party.
UMP vice president Jean Leonetti said: “The debate is not over. UMP deputies are worried about the idea of making Sunday working commonplace.
“We can't defend traditional values such as the family, while we alter their own traditions.”
At the end of November, 48 UMP deputies signed a letter of protest in Le Figaro newspaper protesting the idea.
The latest proposals would see Sunday opening tested in 20 special zones in major cities including Paris, Marseille, Lille and Lyon over a period of five years.
During this experiment employees would have the right to refuse to work on Sunday, pay rates would be at least double and the working week would not extend beyond the terms of a person’s existing contract. Some retailers in tourist areas would be allowed to open without the double pay obligation.
Photo:Afp
