Swiss Parliament Votes Down Sunday Store Openings

The Swiss Federal Parliament has voted to maintain the status quo on Sunday store openings, narrowly defeating a proposal that would have relaxed current restrictions. In a close vote of 22 to 21, lawmakers decided to keep the rule limiting most shops to opening only on four Sundays per year.

Supporters of relaxing the rules argued that allowing stores to open on Sundays would increase convenience for shoppers. However, opponents emphasized the significance of Sunday as a day of rest for family gatherings, worker well-being, and maintaining a clear boundary between professional and personal life. This principle of resting on the seventh day is deeply rooted in European labor rights and has historical, even religious, significance.

Currently, Switzerland designates Sunday as a statutory public holiday. Exceptions are made for businesses like those in train stations, tourist areas, hospitals, and restaurants. The government permits shops and shopping centers to open on a maximum of four Sundays annually. In recent years, several cantonal governments have pushed for broader relaxation, either nationwide or allowing cantons to manage their own rules, potentially permitting up to 12 Sundays of operation without special permits.

The "Alliance for a Free Sunday" expressed to Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) that a free Sunday is distinct from other holidays. It is a day when most people rest, allowing families and friends to connect, participate in children's activities, or simply relax. The alliance argued that if some people are working while others are off, it disrupts family life. The Swiss Bank Employees Association (SBPV) also opposed the change, not out of concern for bank operations, but because the increasing prevalence of remote work could lead to employees being scheduled for Sunday shifts, blurring work-life boundaries and threatening employee health.

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A free Sunday is distinct from other holidays. Sunday is a day when most people rest, allowing families and friends to connect, participate in children's activities, or simply relax. If the days you rest are days when other people are working and attending school, this is not conducive to family life.