On weekends and holidays, Swiss retail experiences complete calm
In Switzerland, shops close quite early on weekdays, even earlier on Saturday, and do not work at all on Sunday. What is the reason? People's unwillingness to work, or perhaps adherence to religious traditions, when Sunday was dedicated to the Lord and mandatory church attendance?
In fact, as Nashagazeta.ch writes, store opening hours are strictly regulated by law. Regarding the actual opening and closing times of shops, cantonal norms apply, while the issue of working in shops is regulated by federal legislation, namely the Labor Law. A clear example of a truly federal state (although Switzerland is called a 'Confederation' in official documents, legally and factually it is, of course, a federation).
The Labor Law directly prohibits working on Sundays and official holidays. This concerns measures to protect workers; only some exceptions are allowed, applied in strictly defined cases. Thus, Article 19, paragraph 6 of the Law allows cantons to choose a maximum of 4 Sundays or holidays per year during which work is possible without special permission.
Again, as an exception, some shops are allowed to regularly open on Sunday. These primarily include emergency pharmacies, bakeries, flower shops, shops at train stations and airports, or kiosks at gas stations located on major roads.
It is also worth noting that the general ban on working on Sundays and holidays does not affect family businesses where the owners themselves work, as their work does not fall under the Labor Law. Also not covered by the law's protection are persons holding high managerial positions. Apparently, it is believed that they decide for themselves whether to work or not, and protection is unnecessary for them.
In addition, there are exceptions for shopping centers located in tourist regions (during the tourist season), as well as for centers that meet the needs of international tourism. The conditions for applying these exceptions are strictly controlled; any permission must be reviewed by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs. To date, only two large shopping centers throughout Switzerland are considered important for international tourism and have the right to work on Sundays: one is in the city of Mendrisio in the canton of Ticino, the other in the city of Landquart in the canton of Graubünden.
As for tourist regions, most shops falling under the exception are located in the mountains and operate during the winter season.
Despite the strict framework and fairly rigid rules, public debate continues. Proposals are constantly made either to relax the legislation or, conversely, to tighten it and abolish all or most exceptions.
For several years, a project to unify store opening hours at the federal level was being prepared. The project provided for shops to be open from Monday to Saturday, at certain hours, throughout the country. However, it was rejected by parliament.
Thus, the cantons retain their competence, and attempts to change the existing state of affairs are being made at the cantonal level. For example, in Geneva last year, a referendum was held on limiting store openings on weekends. The canton's residents rejected the proposal but adopted a bill prepared by parliament in response to the initiative. It provides for the possibility of shops opening on December 31 (this day is considered a holiday in Geneva, not because of New Year's celebrations, but as the day of the republic's liberation from Napoleon's occupation troops; not everyone celebrates it). In addition, the law allows shops to work three additional Sundays per year, provided there is a collective agreement with employees.
In other words, the controversy continues, and changes are happening, but very gradually and slowly. The risk that Swiss cities will turn into eternally bustling, rapidly rushing megacities with giant shopping centers operating around the clock is extremely small. And in this, many will say, lies one of the charms of this country.