New shop hours to extend shopping time

The retail market in Cyprus is due for a major overhaul if the proposed draft change of the local shopping hours prepared by the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance and pending before the Council of Ministers is adopted in its present form.

The small-shopkeepers union, POVEK, is adamantly opposed to the new measures saying these have been directed by the association of supermarket owners to drive its members out of business.

The principle feature of the new law is the abolition of the Wednesday and Saturday afternoon closure and extending shop daily closing times to 7.30pm in the winter and 8.30pm in the summer. Shops may also remain open until 6pm on Saturdays all year round.

The laws concerning half-day breaks will also be changed, making it voluntary instead of compulsory to close from midday to early afternoon. Shop owners must come to an agreement with the Ministry on whether or not they wish to have a half-day break and how long they want it for.

Staff working hours (at 38 hours per week and eight hours overtime per week) will not be affected by these changes.

Holidays remain at 14 days for staff and nine for owners, during which shops must be closed. The right for two half-days a week remains. Every 15 days shops will also be able to close early on Saturdays.