Parliament debates proposal to allow only small shops to trade on Sundays

Parliament yesterday discussed changes to the labor law that would outlaw trading on Sundays and public holidays. Deputies from right-wing parties originally proposed allowing only shops that sell food, non-alcoholic drinks, basic articles and flowers to open on Sundays. But under a revised proposal, all small shops would be permitted to trade. The restrictions on Sunday trading are opposed by deputies from the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), the Freedom Union (UW) and the National Conservative Alliance (SKL). According to Wit Majewski from the SLD, the reasons for opposing the ban are mostly related to the difficulties on the labor market, in particular the growing unemployment. Also, a ban would ignore the needs of people who do not have the time for shopping during the week. But according to Teresa Liszcz from Solidarity Election Action (AWS), opposition to Sunday opening has been obstinately coming back ever since unrestricted Sunday trading was allowed in 1996. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A3, Zycie, p. 5) P.W.