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A lot has been said about the merits of Sunday shopping, with only one (unsubstantiated) argument against it – that is that the figure of 7,000 people finding jobs is impossible to prove. The benefits of this relaxation to the old rigid rules have been tremendous, even within the crisis that we are living through today. The change has helped, somewhat, with employment, retailers are increasing (or at least sustaining) their turnover and, fingers crossed, when the tourists arrive in flocks, they will continue spending in our shops, just as they do any other day of the week.
The rule change, which the opposition parties in parliament have stripped the Labour Minister of setting by decree, has also been a help to ordinary folk, many of whom work more hours during the week to make ends meet.
It is now clear that with just 12 months to go to the next parliamentary elections, parties are flexing their muscles to show their grossly frustrated supporters that they are doing some work and that they do justify their fat taxpayer sponsored salaries.
But judging from the ferocity with which some politicians are arguing in favour of shutting down shops on Sundays, it leaves a major suspicion that some MPs and their party bosses may be on the take from kiosk-owners, probably by getting a free newspaper or two, or a bonus ice cream. How else could one explain allowing kiosks to operate on Sundays when they used to rob consumers by overcharging for food and other necessary items.
If voters allow their MPs to continue playing such silly games, gambling with the rights of ordinary consumers, then they are worthy of the members they elect to parliament. And judging from the gaffes that the Club of 56 have seen over the past two years, then we couldn’t elect a worse bunch of representatives.
The likely solution will probably come from the north. With moderate Mustafa Akinci elected leader of the Turkish Cypriot community on Sunday, it is only a matter of time that reunification talks could re-start sooner than expected. And with such a solution could come a more frequent rate of crossings, building up confidence among the two sides and filling the pockets of those who wish to work on Sundays.
