It is ridiculous, to say the least, that despite the strenuous efforts by all to bolster the island’s tourism industry and make (in some cases futile) attempts to overturn the falling number of tourist arrivals, local authorities are still bound by Colonial-type laws and prohibitions.
One such silly legislation is the imposition of a fine of CYP 800 (EUR 1370) on proprietors of tourist and souvenir shops who keep their establishments open beyond 7pm on a Sunday.
Is that not the logical time when tourists emerge from a long day at the beach, having had a wonderful meal and embark in search of gifts to take home?
Then again, a lot of things do not rely on logic in
Has the Minister of Labour not realized that the stupidity behind the laws limiting shop hours, instead of making them free, is costing our trade and services industry?
The reaction by shop-owners and consumers alike to the childish listing of products that can or cannot be sold in kiosks or convenience stores – reminiscent of Soviet-era days of rationing – was anticipated and the battle is not over, or so they say.
The list of goods that determine a kiosk was probably devised by a Martian or a being from a farther planet where logic defies even the law of gravity.
If labour laws are to be reformed then these should first look at the total deregulation of working hours for shops, banks and all services.
Is there nobody with half a brain in the Labour Ministry that the Minister himself can rely on for sound advice?
In the absence of humanoid-thinking civil servants, we would like to make some simple suggestions to the Minister (and we will not charge him for the advice):
–        Deregulate all shopping hours. Those wishing to stay open longer will be burdened or “punished†by a higher payroll due to overtime or more shifts, hence, more contributions to state coffers and helping create further employment opportunities;
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Those wishing to stay open in the evenings or on Sundays or even for 24 hours would pay an increment on their operating license, same as night clubs or pubs pay more for longer opening hours;
–Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Introduce a fee scale for permits varying by categories of stores such as bakeries, kiosks/convenience stores, all-night shops, alcohol and tobacco licenses, etc.
As most of these suggestions are already in place, it’s just a matter of redesigning a simplified labour law to put them all in one pot.
If car dealerships can close on Mondays (due to longer working hours on Saturdays), then why can’t shopkeepers also close on Mondays? Employees are getting Wednesday afternoons off anyway, so what’s the problem?
Those who want to work any day or time of the week should be free to do so, but will pay accordingly. However, the rewards will be greater for everybody concerned.
