The Regional Council of Attica recently decided to organize a series of festive celebrations on Saturday the 28th of December in Athens, amongst which was the extension of shop working hours to 11pm. The unions of employees in retail have reacted, claiming the working hour extension is illegal and immoral.
The private sector employee federation announced that on top of the “humiliating wage cuts, job rotation and irregular payment”, they are now called upon “to work like slave until midnight on Saturday, so they can perform their show atop of the social ruins of a city of homeless, poor and unemployed people”. The federation urged consumers to boycott the Saturday night events.
The Traders Association of Athens welcomed the Council’s decision, in hopes that it will urge consumers to take advantage of seasonal offers and reinvigorate the devastated markets in the capital. The association announced that any stores wishing to implement the Council ruling and extend their working hours on Saturday, they must submit the relevant forms and information electronically via the “Ergani” network.
The Municipality of Athens has also organized a series of events for Saturday on Syntagma Square, which will begin at 5pm in the afternoon. The Museum of Folk Art and Tradition, the Numismatic Museum and the Museum of Greek Folk Instruments will also be open until 11pm.
