GRTU wants shops to open on most public holidays
The GRTU said today that 'in agreement with Government' it had submitted a request for the suspension of the legally enforceable charge of €700 on each retail outlet wishing to open on Friday 10th February (St Paul's Shipwreck). Saturday 31st March (Freedom Day), Thursday 7th June (Sette Giugno) Friday 29th June (Mnarja,) Saturday 8th September (Victory Day) and Friday 21st September (Independent Day).
"By general consent of retailers and their employees no request was submitted for the opening of shops on Christmas Day and on Good Friday," it said.
"GRTU strives for the freedom of shop owners to be given the opportunity to decide themselves as on which dates to open for business but insists on due respect to traditions and the special characteristics of the Maltese," the association said.
It said it continues to support shop owners' and their employees' freedom to choose to reserve a day of rest preferably on Sunday which in Malta is for most the family day of rest.
"The shift GRTU is demanding is from a legal imposition to a choice by shop owners, who in their vast majority are owners-managers and family businesses."
Up to recently, the GRTU had been saying that shops should be allowed to open on public holidays when they were close to some event which was important for business.
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D Martinelli
Feb 8th, 05:18
While I agree that businesses should be open on Sunday, the decision should be left to the business owners themselves on whether they should open or not. The hours of operation should be decided by the GRTU, in which, businesses could open from 12:00 - 5:00 pm. If businesses are allowed to open on Sundays, wouldn't it be beneficial to the Maltese public if businesses were to open at say 9:00 am - 9:00 pm. When I was in Sliema a few years ago, most businesses were open from 10:00 am - 8:00 pm on weekdays, with the exception of Mark and Spencers which closed at 7:00. In the case of banks, they should be closed on Sundays. The extra work day would create more employment opportunites for part-time work for students and adults alike.
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Feb 7th, 17:21
Authorities should stop interfering with the opening and closing times of shops. Retail outlets should be allowed to decide which business hours day or night, morning or evening , public holidays or not best suit and serve their particular customer base.. I can shop online at any time on a 24/7 basis as much as I want so why shouldn't be able to do the same in actual physical shops. Abroad you see convenience shops at street corners because they offer a service at those hours where the larger retail shops are closed. Indeed they are dominated by Indian owners many of whom have made a fortune from serving clients at what were previously closing hours. We live in a world where many work irregular hours and shifts and where shopping patterns have changed to fit into our lifestyles and particularly at weekends we entertain in the early hours of the night.. There should therefore be no restriction on opening and closing times and shops should operate as their specific retailing model and clientele dictate. Such a move would also create opportunities for p/time work for students and housewives.
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Feb 7th, 17:20
Authorities should stop interfering with the opening and closing times of shops. Retail outlets should be allowed to decide which business hours day or night, morning or evening , public holidays or not best suit and serve their particular customer base.. I can shop online at any time on a 24/7 basis as much as I want so why shouldn't be able to do the same in actual physical shops. Abroad you see convenience shops at street corners because they offer a service at those hours where the larger retail shops are closed. Indeed they are dominated by Indian owners many of whom have made a fortune from serving clients at what were previously closing hours. We live in a world where many work irregular hours and shifts and where shopping patterns have changed to fit into our lifestyles and particularly at weekends we entertain in the early hours of the night.. There should therefore be no restriction on opening and closing times and shops should operate as their specific retailing model and clientele dictate. Such a move would also create opportunities for p/time work for students and housewives.
O Kassar
Feb 7th, 14:25
This is purely a matter to be decided by the business operator himself. If he wants to open the shop on a feast day, he should be allowed to do it. Let's throw away all rotten ideas about this issue. Freedom of trade also means that businesses should be allowed to operate freely and legitimately. Opening on Sundays and on Public Holidays is not an illicit deed which merits sanctioning. We are no longer in Inquisition times.
Wilfred Camilleri
Feb 7th, 12:56
Don't let it happen people. If shops are allowed to open on Sundays and holidays employees will be forced to work on those days, the streets will be clogged like weekdays, and families will have no time to be together. Sundays will become like any other weekday. Just not worth it. All in the name f the mighty Euro!
joe cutajar
Feb 7th, 12:36
JIEN MA NAFX GHAX IL MARSA DEJJEM MIFTUHIN IL HWIENET ANKE IL HADD U FIL FESTI DEJJEM
Mario Farrugia
Feb 7th, 12:25
The GRTU's call is wrong. The public should be given a rest from the constant bombardment and ongoing temptations to make it spend, spend and spend more, Besides, the public should be given mandatory space to exploit its limited free time in a more beffitting way - to explore the great outdoors or our vast cultural heritage, to engage in cultural or charitable work or simply enjoy the balm in some quite spot away from shops, products, cheeky sales people and tricky offers. One should remember that it is not with bread alone that man lives....
W Cassar
Feb 7th, 12:46
@ Mario
What great outdoors? Malta is built up and the little countryside there is it guarded by hunters! Don't make me laugh!
Charles W. Sammut
Feb 7th, 12:56
Nobody is forcing you to go shopping. You are free to go catch a cold in the open country if you so wish. Others might find it convenient to do their shopping when they are off work.
It strikes me as ridiculous to prohibit people who want to work from doing so. But then our society rewards idleness and irresponsibility, so this attitude is to be expected.
I Bugeja
Feb 7th, 13:26
The public should should should decide for itself what it wants and not have someone tell us what to do and when to do it. After all establishments in some areas such as valletta waterfront, st julians open. Why should others not open?
Joseph Calleja
Feb 7th, 13:28
What fantasy land are you living in? Let the shop owners decide for themselves if they want to be open on holidays, as a matter of fact they can stay open seven days a week. That decision should be left up to the shop owner.
mark johnson
Feb 7th, 13:51
It makes me laugh to think they call them hunters.
Sad little blokes hiding in little huts, sitting on their arse waiting to blast some poor defenceless bird to death.
Henry Samut
Feb 7th, 17:07
Exactly! This is the reason for shops to open... as it is not with bread alone that man lives... we need to shop for other consumerables and need shops open during public holidays to accommodate for us who have a long working week.
K. Vella
Feb 7th, 12:24
The life style has changed and due to busy schedules one needs to consider to leave the option for all shop owners (even supermarkets) to open on Sundays till late even after 7pm.
Jay Oatmon
Feb 7th, 12:10
It serves the public to have some places open (of their own choice) on all days.
John Spiteri
Feb 7th, 11:40
Most shops dont open a full day on saturday ha!