According to the latest survey conducted by the 2muse agency, Slovak consumers would not mind if shops closed on Sundays, with 59 percent strongly in favour of the ban and 21 percent somewhat in favour. The support for the Sunday retail ban was even more pronounced among employees, with up to 88 percent of retail workers wishing to see the shops remain closed on Sundays.
However, neither economic analysts nor businesses take kindly to the potential ban on Sunday retail operation in Slovakia, as they argue that such restrictions would spell another blow for the recovering economy and also prompt lay-offs. According to INESS analyst Martin Vlachynský, Slovakia is a democratic country where voluntary agreements between free people trump regulation, bans and injunctions. "If the main argument are to be societal impacts, then politicians should back their claims with some factual arguments that prove any fundamental deleterious effects that Sunday retail is supposedly having on society," warned Vlachynský. In addition, it's not clear why politicians are focusing on retail only. "If arguments are about society, then they should also demand a ban on Sunday work in other services and industry. Because with the retail restrictions, they're targeting only about two percent of labour force in Slovakia," he said.
This sentiment was echoed also by the How Long Can We Last? platform, representing hundreds of retail outlets. "In light of the expected contraction of the economy, the discussion should revolve around how to support growth as much as possible, wherever possible, and not how to choke business activities further," thinks platform representative Peter Papánek. The opinion varies among retail unions, with Slovak Modern Business Alliance (SAMO) chair Martin Krajčovič reporting that the alliance members are not of a single opinion on the issue.
