The government’s position that the store operating hours will remain as they are was reiterated today in Parliament by the Minister of Labour, Yiannis Panayiotou.
He further argued that the ongoing debate on the issue does not help either the economy or investments and reminded that no presidential candidate had raised such an issue.
The government’s position, the minister reiterated several times today, is that the commercial environment as shaped over the last decade should not be altered, as among other things, fluctuations in market regulations create problems of developmental and investment insecurity.
He referred to the events that shaped the current opening hours of stores, noting the contribution to the economy and the labour market, pointing out that when extended hours were in place, there was an unemployment problem, while today there is a problem with labour shortage.
According to Mr. Panayiotou, within this framework, there is no intention to change the existing regime, and it will continue to provide the stability necessary for economic growth.
He further supported that, based on inspections by the Ministry, the labour rights guaranteed by legislation for retail personnel are largely enforced, with few complaints brought to court, as well as regarding the issue of holidays.
Regarding the issue of legal gaps highlighted in the last session of the Parliament’s Labour Committee on the matter, as reminded yesterday by the President, Andreas Kafkalias, the Minister of Labour referred to the need for codification of the framework where needs are identified in cooperation with the Law Office.
However, the minister’s remarks did not particularly satisfy Mr. Kafkalias, who insisted on the legal gap, clarifying, however, that the Parliament does not dispute that the issue of opening hours falls under the authority of the executive branch.
He insisted, however, that there is a legal gap without the issuance of decrees provided by legislation and the determination of tourist areas.