Despite the general nod of approval, allowing all shops to open on a Sunday could negatively impact on the lives of salespeople such as Lindsay Harmsworth.
Speaking to Times of Malta, Ms Harmsworth said salespeople – and not just shop owners – should also have been consulted before the public consultation document was issued.
Among other things, it is being proposed that all shops should be allowed to open on Sunday between 6am and 5pm, provided they remain closed on another day chosen by the owners and which is communicated to the Trade Department.
“Sunday is a day to be enjoyed by families. We already work six days a week. Now, Sundays will be taken away from us too,” Ms Harmsworth said.
Sunday is a day to be enjoyed by families
“We speak about the rising rates of divorce. Such changes will contribute negatively to the social fabric. And I’ve been speaking to many other salesgirls and most of them share my view on the matter.”
The 25-year-old married woman, who does not yet have children, is worried that working Sundays will rob her of the only two days in the week which she would be able to spend with her child when school started.
“Closing on a weekday would not make a difference if my child was at school. Also, most shop owners might not choose to employ more staff, therefore increasing the workload.” She expressed concern that Sunday would be treated as a normal working day and staff would not be paid double time as happens when they work on Christmas Day.
“I am also not quite convinced of the argument that opening on Sundays would render shops more competitive vis-à-vis online shopping. I work in a shop that sells sportswear and I regularly see people trying on clothes to check the size before heading home to order it online.”
Her views are shared by the Commission for Pastoral Activities among Workers, which stated that the consultation process should have been wider and included those impacted by the change, such as salespeople and supermarket employees.
“With the passing of the law, we will continue killing the soul of the Maltese who used to and still do cherish Sunday. The commission has always appreciated unavoidable work carried out on Sunday, such as in the security, health and tourism sectors, but work that could be done on Mondays should not be transferred to Sundays at the expense of the worker.”
While agreeing with the proposed changes, General Workers’ Union general secretary Tony Zarb said the union would be meeting employees to ensure there were no loopholes enabling the system to be abused.
“Employees who work on Sundays should be paid the Sunday premium. We’ll also be examining the hours they will be working. Will they be closing between noon and 3pm and will that time be used for stocktaking? There are a number of conditions we will be looking at.”
Benny Borg Bonello, from the Consumers’ Association Malta, welcomed the proposals. Shop owners, he said, were in the best position to decide their opening days and hours. “By opening on Sundays, no one’s rights will be compromised. Things are restrictive as they stand now. People who do not wish to shop on a Sunday will not be forced to do so. A more open market will lead to more competition, higher standards and lower prices.”
The Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin would not comment saying it was not consulted about the proposals.
The consultation process is open until October 24.