New! Political storm around commercial Sundays

wbijamszpile.pl 1 year ago

At the next session of the Sejm there will be a vote on a bill that can radically change the scenery around commercial Sundays. The PiS and Left Clubs requested the rejection of the bill allowing 2 trade Sundays in the period already at first reading. In turn, KO, PSL-TD, Poland 2050-TD and the Confederacy advocated sending the task to further work in the committee.

Applicant Ryszard Petru powerfully criticises the current regulations.

The provisions in force are inconsistent and supply for 32 exceptions, with 10 000 shops. Poles buy on Sunday anyway, paying 40% more. This is the measurable price of the ban on trade on Sunday.

– points to Petru.

The MP points out that the ban was intended to support tiny shops, whereas as of 2018 30 000 of them fell.

The ban on trade was to make Polish shops disappear, and abroad networks were developing, which have money to advance purchases on Saturday," he said. He added that in 2015 there were 3.6 1000 discounts, and in 2023 already 5.4 thousand. Discons increased their share of the food marketplace from 27% to 37%.

Economic and social impacts

According to Petru, 2 trade Sundays a period could increase the number of jobs in trade by 20 thousand, and the yearly turnover of the manufacture by 20 billion PLN. It stresses that the task provides for the protection of workers' interests, including double remuneration for work on Sunday and a day off.

However, MP Jan Mosiński from the Law and Justice Board stresses that in 2018 a compromise was reached and the current law restricts, not prohibits trade on Sunday.

Most Poles do not want the bill liberalised. The renovation of the storm adopted the model and order operating for 6 years – he noted.

The Left has a akin position. MP Arkadius Sikora points out that Sunday should be a time for families.

Voice of the opposition on trade Sundays

KO, PSL-TD, Poland 2050-TD and the Confederates advocated further work on the project. Mszębela Mrzglocka of KO emphasizes that the public opinion is divided on this issue, and the thought of softening the rules is worth following. Elżbieta Burkiewicz from Poland 2050 points out that the government should not impose arbitrary bans that did not change the situation of tiny shops, and for many people they are an inconvenience. Magdalena Magoka of PSL-TD points out the extension of labour rights and the increase of consumer choice.

Przemysław Wipler of the Confederate stresses that the ban on trade on Sunday was conducive to the improvement of large commercial networks that automated their shops and spread sales through applications.

You meant well, it came out as usual.

– said Wipler, criticizing the current bill.

Position of the Ministry of Labour

The Labour Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk points out that neither consumers nor workers want to increase the number of business Sundays. She noted that only buying malls are in favour of expanding the number of business Sundays.

Is their business an crucial social need? – the minister asks rhetorically.

What's next?

The draft amendment of the law prohibiting trade on Sundays, submitted by Polish MEPs 2050, provides for 2 trade Sundays per month. The vote on the proposal to reject the draft at first reading will take place at the next session of the Sejm. This decision can affect the future of trade in Poland and trigger further political emotions.