With calls for expanding Sunday shopping in Switzerland growing by the day, another step has been taken toward easing restrictions. The Economic Affairs Committees in both chambers of parliament have now put their weight behind the plans, to the joy of businesses and dismay of unions.

Canton Zurich's Sunday shopping plan approved by committee

On January 21, by 15 votes to nine the Economic Affairs Committee of the National Council voted to support a new expansion of Sunday shopping in Switzerland, joining the same committee in the Council of States that approved the idea back in October. The plan itself was submitted by officials from Canton Zurich and calls for a dramatic expansion of opening hours on Sundays.

Under current rules, practically all shops and businesses in the alpine nation are not allowed to open their doors on Sunday. The only exceptions are bakeries, and supermarkets and shops at train stations, petrol stations, airports and ski resorts. What’s more, employers must seek permission for their workers to clock in on Sundays, and staff who do are generously rewarded through overtime.

How would the plan expand Sunday shopping in Switzerland?

Another exception to the Sunday shopping ban is during so-called “Shopping Sundays”. On four Sundays a year, which are determined by each Swiss canton but tend to fall in the lead-up to public holidays like National Day and Christmas, shops are allowed to open on Sunday.

Under the Zurich plan, each canton would be allowed to impose 12 Sunday Shopping days a year. Cantonal officials argued that the idea would “increase economic performance” - on the latest Shopping Sunday on December 8, 50.000 people were shopping on Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich. They added that it is unfair that ski resorts are allowed to open their shops on Sundays while cities, which cater to more tourists, have to keep them shut.

Lawmakers say the plan will lead to growth in the economy

In a statement, the National Council committee argued that the idea gives "greater freedom to cantons and municipalities to decide whether and how often Sunday work is possible in shops, without the need for authorisation." They added that the plan could be imposed without changing labour law, reducing the chance of the plans facing a referendum - though cantonal votes remain likely.

With their approval, the Canton Zurich plan is now one of the more advanced proposals to expand Sunday shopping in Switzerland. The others are a Federal Council plan to give cities the right to define “tourism zones” where shops can remain open, and an FDP. The Liberals plan to allow shops in small villages to remain open. Both ideas are due to be voted on in the coming months.

Swiss unions fear for the health of retail workers

In response to the Zurich proposal, the Swiss Trade Union Federation wrote that the idea was “antisocial and dangerous for health” and a “new blow” for sales staff. "The sector is already suffering from low wages, changing hours, a shortage of workers and high pressures," they continued.

"The "right" is continuing its offensive for an increase in Sunday working hours that the people have already refused on several occasions," fellow union Unia added, noting that approximately three-quarters of referendums on the topic have been rejected by voters. They argue that this “clearly demonstrates the people's opposition to further liberalisations."

What’s more, with the proposals leaving it up to individual cantons to decide whether to expand shopping or not, it is unclear which regions will follow through on the plans. So far, only Zurich has registered a keen interest in having shops open for longer.

Regardless, all proposals are now set for what 20 Minuten called a “left-right duel in parliament”. Lawmakers are expected to give their final assent or rejection of the plans in the coming months. 

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