The Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has approved the proposal of the City of Orašje to exempt it from the application of the Law on Internal Trade, or the non-working week. This means that shops in the Orašje area will be able to operate undisturbed on the second day of the weekend.
Orasje is not the only one that made this request and it is certain that other municipalities and cities that want to abolish the non-working Sunday will expect equal treatment from the federal government if they have valid arguments.
The explanation of the decision of the City of Orašje, among other things, stated that they have a specific geographical position within the Federation of BiH and that a significant number of users of services in the field of trade are consumers, buyers, and tourists-excursions-one-day guests on the territory of the City of Orašje from the neighboring Republic of Croatia, with a significant share in the revenue generated by business entities that perform activities in the field of trade and other service activities related to trade, such as catering and tourism.
FBiH Minister of Trade Amir Hasičević answered the prayers of the authorities in Orašje, and now they will have to decide on the requests that have arrived, such as the one from Maglaj and numerous others who also want shops to be allowed to work on Sundays.
The explanation of the FBiH Government states that Orašje is one of the most frequented border crossings in BiH and that Orašje is “territorially separated from other parts of the FBiH and is located in the ‘surroundings’ and directly borders the Republika Srpska, the Brčko District and the Republic of Croatia.”
The Sunday off has caused deep divisions in society. Some support the right of retailers to have a guaranteed Sunday off, while others wonder what happens to workers in bakeries, gas stations, flower shops, and other stores whose employees also work on Sundays. A third group believes that this law is meaningless and that everyone should be allowed the right to choose and work – whoever wants to work – let them work, with clearly defined legal rights for workers and obligations for employers for working on Sundays.
Also, the non-working Sunday caused huge crowds in stores on Saturdays, which causes additional stress for workers and customers.
Although it may seem like a measure to protect workers and families, the real winners are large retailers. They reduce operating costs, limit competition from small retailers, and profit from online sales that remain active on Sundays. Workers receive no real benefits, and consumers and small communities suffer.
Source: ba.ekapija.com
