English

Sunday is officially a day off in trade sector

Primjena počinje za tri mjeseca

Members of the Parliament of Montenegro adopted unanimously Proposal Law on amendments to the Law on Internal Trade which prescribes Sunday as a day off.

Members of Democratic Front were absent during the vote, although they said they would support the amendments.

This provision of the law will come into force in autumn. That way, employers will have enough time to organize and harmonize their activities in accordance with the amendments.

Minister of Economy, Ms Dragica Sekulić, said during the discussion at the Parliament that the exceptions had clearly been defined, without the possibility of any further amendments, which means that malls won’t be working on Sunday.

“We think there won’t be reduction in turnover and revenues. Businessmen believe that revenues will just flow from one day to the other, turnover or revenue will not be reduced, and, therefore, there won’t be any dismissals either”, said Minister Sekulić.

However, representatives of the Employers Federation said they would submit an initiative to the Constitutional Court aimed at questioning the Law.

“We believe the constitutionality of this Law will soon be brought into question. Such law has been revoked three times in Croatia. The reasons for that were reasonable and it might happen in Montenegro as well”, said the representatives of the Employers Federation.

They added that Sunday off will not boost employment. Delta City management announced that such amendments would provoke dismissal of 200 employees and a loss of €1 million at monthly level.

The Government stipulates that retail and wholesale trade during holidays and on Sunday is carried on in pharmacies, specialized shops or kiosks selling bread, bakery products and cakes, flowers, souvenirs, newspapers, products for the protection of plants or equipment and supplies for funeral, gas stations, as well as at the markets, stands or in moving shops.

Employers who breach the provision and open their stores on Sunday might be fined (€1.000 – €10.000) and their facility might be closed. Market inspection will be in charge of monitoring the work on Sunday.

Send this to a friend