Sunday trading on agenda – again

A FOURTH, and greatly watered down, version of a law opening up Sunday trading has been presented to parliament.

In an effort to keep all parties happy the law as it stands would change little from the status quo, in contrast to President Sarkozy’s original statement that he wanted Sunday trading examined “without taboo” so as to lift obstacles due to “regulations which are no longer adapted” to modern life.

The new version essentially aims to legalise some openings which are already taking place contrary to the current rules. Bouches-du-Rhône MP Richard Mallié who has drafted it said it will “sort out the most urgent situations, to avoid closures and sackings.”

It will allow for opening in “tourist zones,” currently mainly restricted to “leisure shops” (sports and hobbies).

The law also sets out certain “exceptional consumption areas” in and around the largest cities – Paris, Marseille and Lille.

Even in these areas opening will only be allowed if local councils agree and businesses involved will have to sign agreements with unions on increased salaries, which must be at least double.

The law has calmed opponents to the previous versions, who included many MPs from the ruling UMP Party. The leading opponents are among those putting their names to the new law.

Head of the UMP Party in the National Assembly Jean-François Copé said: “From a draft that was risking blowing the majority MPs apart we have a scheme which is bringing us together.”

Nonetheless the CFTC union has hit out at the idea of “regularising misbehaviour instead of punishing it” (referring to allowing shops opening illegally to continue to do so).

Debate on the issue is to continue in July.

Photo: AFP