Czech Republic: the law that closes shops on public holidays is adopted

The long debate over shops opening during public holidays appears to have concluded with a Parliament decision being passed at the end of June that prohibits shop opening during seven national public holidays including 01 January, Easter Monday (moveable), 08 May, 28 September, 25 and 26 December, as compared with 3.5 days currently. The decision comes on the back of a retail sector union campaign that raised consumer and political awareness on the issue.
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In the week of 10 June and just before the proposal was discussed and voted upon by Parliament, retail sector employees’ unions launched a major campaign on the theme, ‘We want a rest on public holidays.’ Thousands of retailers wore luminous bracelets with the slogan in support. On top of raising consumer awareness the campaign looked to demonstrate a real willingness by the sector’s employees to take advantage of these holidays. In fact the Retailers and Tourism Employers association had argue

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