'Should Sunday Stores Be Open?' Swiss Parliament Votes No

(Central News Agency, reporter Guo Fangjun, Zurich, 11th) The Swiss Federal Assembly on the 9th voted 22 to 21 to reject a relaxation of Sunday trading restrictions, maintaining the current status quo where stores can only operate on 4 Sundays per year. Supporters of Sunday store openings argue it enhances convenience in daily life, while opponents stress the importance of Sunday rest for family gatherings, worker health, and maintaining work-life boundaries.

"Work six days, rest on the seventh" is a phrase originating from biblical teachings for Christians. The practice of Sunday rest not only holds religious significance but has also become a core protection of labor rights in Europe. In Switzerland, Sunday is a legally mandated public rest day, with exceptions only for stores in train stations, tourist areas, hospitals, and the restaurant industry as permitted by law.

Currently, the Swiss government allows stores and shopping centers to operate on 4 Sundays per year. In recent years, an increasing number of cantonal governments have sought to nationally relax the ban on Sunday work, or allow each canton to manage its own rules, enabling stores and shopping centers to operate on up to 12 Sundays per year without needing a permit.

The Swiss Federal Assembly held a vote this week, with opponents of increasing Sunday trading days winning by a narrow margin of 22 to 21. This means Switzerland will maintain the status quo of allowing stores to operate normally on only 4 Sundays per year.

The "Sunday-Free Alliance" (Sonntagsallianz) told Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) that a free Sunday is different from other holidays. Sunday is a day of rest for the majority, a time for family and friends to gather, participate in children's activities, or simply rest and do nothing. If your day off falls when everyone else is working or at school, it is of no benefit to family life.

In the SRF report, the Swiss Bank Employees' Association (SBPV) also opposed undermining the Sunday rest system. Their concern was not that banks might open on Sundays, but because working from home (home office) has become the norm for financial industry employees. If the bill passed, financial sector employees could be scheduled to work on Sundays, blurring the lines between work and private life and threatening employee health.

According to a poll conducted by SRF as of the evening of the 10th, 30% of respondents agreed with increasing the number of Sunday trading days. Most supporters believe Sunday store openings increase convenience in daily life. In contrast, 68% of respondents were opposed.

Taiwanese expatriate Li Wenxuan told CNA that for most dual-income families, Saturday is the only time to go grocery shopping. Being able to avoid the rush on Saturday could reduce stress. The fact that supermarkets are closed on Sundays sometimes causes trouble when household necessities run out. She suggested that stores open on Sundays should focus on daily necessities, not high-end luxury goods.

Swiss citizen Beni Frey told CNA that supermarket and shopping center employees belong to a relatively low-income group in Switzerland. Sunday trading will not reduce the phenomenon of the online shopping era. If low-income groups are forced to work more Sundays, it amounts to exploitation. "Instead of opening on Sundays, it would be better to slightly extend Saturday business hours," he said. (Editor: Zhou Yongjie) 1150611