The State Council has ordered the suspension of the operation of shops on Sunday until the end of the year, at which point it will determine the main appeal, which had been launched by employer and employee federations.
The decision was based on the legal argument that the measure has not increased turnover or reduced unemployment and that it will cause irreparable financial and more harm to employees with by infringing the right to leisure, spending time with one’s family and religious worship.
The judicial decision also disputes the common public interest reasons that the government has claimed to support the measure. Regarding tourism, the State Council calls regional governors to issue a circular outlining the areas where the operation of stores on Sundays is permitted (except department stores).
As expected the State Council’s was praised by Confederation of Hellenic Commerce (ESEE) president Vasilis Korkidis, who commented that he was “relieved” since “the measure would paint a grim future for SMEs if and when it was fully implemented”. Mr. Korkidis however was cautious in his comments, since a final decision will be made later in the year.
The former Minister of Growth Kostis Hatzidakis posted an ironic tweet on his account, claiming that “restaurants, patisseries and florists” must also shut down on Sundays “due to moral harm”.
