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France to look at laws curbing Sunday shopping

Under French law, Sunday is a mandatory day off – but critics say it’s putting the nation at a competitive disadvantage.

FRANCE’S SOCIALIST PRIME minister has ordered a re-examination of laws restricting stores from opening on Sundays — reviving the debate over Industrial Revolution-era workplace protections that labour unions cherish and consumers often decry.

French law has established Sunday as a mandatory day off to help ensure rest and the quality of life — although some retailers like those in tourist areas get exemptions. Critics say the workplace protections have gone too far, crimping modern lifestyles and putting France at a disadvantage with rival nations.

Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault met with government ministers today on the subject after a court ordered two hardware chains to close 14 of their stores on Sundays — and their employees erupted in protests.

He announced that a former head of Paris’s transport authority and the state-run postal service will report on the complex issue by late November — hoping to defuse a labour crisis as workers and the jobless struggle through France’s economic slump.

“(The) government notes that Sunday rest is an essential principle in terms of protecting workers and social cohesion” while recognising that “the existence of Sunday work is a reality,” Ayrault’s office said in a noncommittal statement.

“Never on Sunday”

Many Roman Catholics and labour groups — who don’t always align politically — agree that “Never on Sunday” is a mantra to maintain when it comes to work. Still, the law, which dates back to 1906, has fanned sporadic debate.

Last week, a court ordered the Leroy Merlin and Castorama hardware chains to close their Paris-area stores on Sundays. Rival Bricorama had sued to make sure they didn’t get an unfair advantage and the court concurred.

But employees at the affected stores were among those growling the loudest over the ruling, insisting that Sunday store hours give them needed extra pay and suit customers who find it hard to shop during the work week.

“Yes Week End”

The employees donned “Yes Week End” T-shirts and mounted petition drives Sunday amid the court’s threat to slap fines of €120,000 on each store that violated the rules. For a variety of reasons — notably that some wrested a last-minute waiver from the government — the stores will temporarily stay open on Sundays, although the issue is far from resolved.

The current debate stems from a 2009 move by then-President Nicolas Sarkozy’s centre-right government that eased back curbs on Sunday store openings. The efforts faced political opposition and resulted in a mish-mash of legal waivers, special-zone exemptions and other loopholes.

Most French consumers are used to the country’s Sunday rhythm: Shopping is restricted to tourist areas or owner-operated, mom-and-pop-style stores. Restaurants are exempt, but even supermarkets only open a half-day — with some exceptions.

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41 Comments
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    Mute Mary Mc Carthy
    Favourite Mary Mc Carthy
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    Jul 17th 2015, 11:16 PM

    Hats off to.these gardai for caring for this innocent stray.

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    Mute Mark Miller
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    Jul 17th 2015, 11:01 PM

    In the hat??, could it possibly belong to Dr. Seuss.

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    Mute Marc Power
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    Jul 17th 2015, 11:16 PM

    beautiful little creature

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    Mute Marty Flood
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    Jul 18th 2015, 4:11 AM

    I’d take him in a second if I lived in Cork. Or Ireland for that matter. Poor little mite.

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    Mute Jenny
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    Jul 17th 2015, 11:01 PM

    they’ll need a new car as well if that thing pee’d in it

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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jul 17th 2015, 11:45 PM

    We can all afford to pay for it if this is the kind of message we get from community policing.
    Great save lads. Thank you.

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    Mute Jenny
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    Jul 17th 2015, 11:55 PM

    Whats the message Paul? Gardai have too little to be doing? or pet owners have no need to neuter their pets because the Gardai will pick up the slack? I also find it interesting when loose horses on the roads are reported to Gardai there is “nothing they can do” . Incredible that crap like this is applauded.

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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jul 18th 2015, 12:08 AM

    I think this article acknowledges that there is PR value in these stories – which is why they happen.
    On a morale level it boosts public faith in our cops as humans, and also for the Gardaí themselves who benefit from goodwill.
    I also live near Blarney.
    I’m an awkward customer, horrified when the Gardaí fail, but delighted when they do well.
    I like it when they show humanity in uniform.
    Also….
    I’m delighted to know that the kitten won’t be stuck in my car – or under it. Some customers in Blairs Inn (my local) were trying to get a cat out of an engine using jugs of water. Could be this one.
    They had driven from Wexford and discovered they had a passenger when they parked up for dinner.

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    Mute Marc Power
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    Jul 18th 2015, 12:52 AM

    Jenny. ..You obviously dislike cats but I would not imaging you would be the kind of person who would get joy from their pain

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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Jul 18th 2015, 8:45 AM

    Need a cuddle there Jenny?

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    Mute David Memery
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    Jul 18th 2015, 9:11 AM

    @Jenny, I saw the Gardai herding a loose cow on the road yesterday after the cow had broken out of the field and was wandering

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    Mute Donal O Neil
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    Jul 18th 2015, 10:09 AM

    Wondering about what?

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    Mute John Corcoran
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    Jul 18th 2015, 10:47 AM

    Jenny don’t be hasty…

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Jul 18th 2015, 6:37 PM
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