Representatives of employers’ associations and supermarkets argued during the Labour Committee session on store hours that the extended operating hours in effect since 2013 have significantly boosted employment in the retail sector, creating thousands of new job opportunities.
Representatives from KEVE (Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation), OEB (Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry), PASYLE (Pancyprian Retail Trade Association), and the Supermarkets Association also expressed concerns that any prohibition on Sunday operations, which is the second busiest day after Saturday, would have adverse effects on employment and the economy.
In contrast, representatives from POVEK (Union of Small and Medium Enterprises), representing kiosk owners, bakeries, as well as associations of store owners in Nicosia and Limassol, spoke of uneven competition due to extended hours of operation and Sunday trading since 2013.
They described it as a chaotic situation in the market and welcomed the political parties’ initiative to address the issue in the Parliament.
Trade union representatives also welcomed the discussion, with SEK (Cyprus Workers Confederation) emphasizing the need to address the issue of prolonged standing for employees. PEO (Pancyprian Federation of Labour PEO) mentioned that most of the new job positions created were part-time.
The intervention of PASYLE (Cyprus Retail Trade Association) following yesterday’s Labor Committee meeting garnered attention, as the Association expressed disappointment with the Deputy Minister of Labor’s statement that there is a legal gap regarding store hours.
