No rest for shopkeepers?

Today is Worker's Day and if the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU and the Consumers' Association had it their way it would have been business as usual for sales representatives and shopkeepers. David Schembri asked shopkeepers and shoppers whether it is time to allow shops to open on Sundays and public holidays.

Joanna Parnis, 34, salesgirl in a clothing franchise
The government's decision for shops not to open today was "good, because it's a break". She thinks that, while it makes sense to open on a public holiday during the Christmas season, opening in Valletta at this time of year is not very viable. While she obviously finds not having to work "comfortable", she understands that not everyone is in her position.

Alfred Agius, shop owner, remembers a time when shops could open on a public holiday if they wanted to. He finds no problem with shops opening "as long as it's applied equally to all shops". However, he can't afford to pay €700 for a special licence to open just for the day as he would not even begin to cover the expense with a day's sales.

Joseph D'Amato, 54, Customs officer
"I think everyone should be able to choose whether to open or not." Nonetheless, he understands the situation of shop employees who might want the public holiday for themselves.

Matthew Attard Navarro, 22, photographer
He thinks even Sundays should be an option for shops to open, especially for the convenience of people who work late hours and night shifts. "I think the answer is quite simple. Having people going round town on a Saturday and finding no shops open is pretty stupid."

Natalie Caruana, 50, hairdresser
She prefers having shops open on public holidays because this is more convenient for people who work, such as herself. "At times, even I have to open on a public holiday if a customer has a wedding or a special occasion," the hairdresser says.

Fida Kettunen, 19, tourist ("where even the sun doesn't rest in summer"), thinks it is important to respect public holidays and that people need their rest. "Then again, in Finland some shops open all week, others don't. It should be left to the shops to decide whether they want to open or not - sometimes, people need to shop even on a public holiday."

Alex Anastasi, 60, shopkeeper
"I speak for all the shopkeepers and we're against shops opening on Sundays and public holidays. After a whole week working, we need a break. Bigger shops don't care because it won't cost them any money." He argues that if the government allowed shops to open on public holidays, this would open the floodgates for Sunday shopping as well. "Life has become too fast. Where has the value of family gone?"

Richard Galea Debono, 55, lawyer thinks there should be "a total liberalisation when it comes to opening hours" and that shops should be open on Sundays and public holidays as long as there are standards that are adhered to.

Luana Debono, 23, accounts clerk
Holidays, for her, are the only time where she can shop around properly because she works till 5 p.m. every day. "It's not just clothes but buying things for my new home takes up a lot of time," which at the moment is scarce.

James Aquilina, 30, owns and runs a toyshop
He finds it unjust that some shopping centres can open while others had to pay a licence. However, "it doesn't make sense for me to open on May 1. Work is quiet at the moment and it doesn't make sense to have to pay employees overtime when people are going to Ta' Qali, instead of Valletta".