A federal amendment aims to allow Sunday work in cities with international tourism. “It does not correspond to any overriding or compelling social interest”, evangelicals say.
A market in Geneva, Switzerland. / Photo: [link]Meizhi Lang[/link], Unsplash CC0.
The Swiss Federal Council wants to allow Sunday work in cities with international tourism, but the Swiss Evangelical Alliance (SEA-RES) sees this as “an unnecessary exception to the rule”.
The Labour Act currently protects Sunday as a day off work, so that paid employment is restricted to professional activities that are essential to society.
The new Federal Council amendment to Ordinance 2 of the law says shops in urban neighbourhoods with international tourism should now also be allowed to sell a certain range of goods on Sundays.
The amendment would further extend Sunday work to centrally located districts with a wide range of accommodation, culture and gastronomy; in cities with over 60,000 inhabitants.
The SEA, along with many other organisations that form the Sunday Alliance, “completely rejects” the proposal because “does not correspond to any overriding or compelling social interest. Therefore, an exception to the ban on Sunday working is not justified”.
“Businesses that can demonstrate an urgent need or technical or economic indispensability already receive an exemption licence today”, they add.
For the SEA, “it is no coincidence that Sunday work is prohibited by law”, because “the interruption in the working rhythm serves the purpose of recreation and regeneration“.
Furthermore, “the common work-free Sunday makes it possible to maintain social contacts, be it family, friendships or attending church services or other festivities“.
All that, “is part of a natural quality of life for the majority of the population in Switzerland”, and “ultimately also serves to ensure that people can pursue their work with joy and dedication during the week”, concludes the evangelical entity.
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