PCP proposes closing of shops on Sundays and holidays

Speaking to journalists in the Assembly of the Republic, Portuguese Communist Party ( PCP ) deputy Alfredo Maia stressed that the aim of the bill is to ensure that workers' "fundamental right" to rest and to spend time with their families is preserved.

“We frequently visit and come into contact with workers, particularly in shopping centres, who often tell us: I haven’t seen my son for a week or I haven’t seen my husband awake for a week , because these workers often work shifts, sometimes at night,” he said.

In order to respond to this situation, the PCP proposes the closure of commerce in general, "and shopping centers in particular", on Sundays and holidays and, on weekdays, closing at 10 pm.

The deputy pointed out that there are services that are not covered by this measure, such as restaurants, pharmacies, theaters or cinemas.

In the bill, the PCP foresees that establishments selling to the public located in gas stations, bus, train, air or sea stations can be open 24 hours, seven days a week.

Restaurants, cafes, breweries, snack bars or self-service restaurants may be open until 2:00 am every day of the week, as well as convenience stores, while “nightlife establishments”, such as nightclubs, must close by 4:00 am.

The party also admits that there may be a differentiation in timetables depending on “specific conditions”, such as traditional or cultural festivals or bathing areas, which allow “responding to specific local characteristics and constraints”.

Regarding business opening hours, the PCP considers that this decision should be made by municipalities, with the exception of units subject to licensing authorization provided by the Regional Coordination and Development Commissions (CCDR), after consulting trade unions, employers' and consumer associations.

Asked whether he was not afraid that these closures could have an impact on workers' salaries, Alfredo Maia said that the problem of salaries "cannot be resolved with so-called compensation for work on Sundays."

"Yes, it can be resolved by increasing the salaries of these workers. It is important to note that a good portion, if not the majority, of workers in this sector are earning the minimum wage, or close to it," he stressed.

This PCP diploma was announced on the eve of the Assembly of the Republic debating, this Thursday, a bill, a citizen initiative, which calls precisely for the closure of shops on Sundays and holidays and the reduction of the opening hours until 10 pm.