Submission on the Easter Trading and Holiday Legislation Discussion Document 2007

In general the CTU believes that the current exemptions to shop trading and sale of liquor restrictions on Easter Sunday under their respective pieces of legislation have become too broad to ensure retail and hospitality workers, at least, are guaranteed the opportunity for holidays they can share with their community, other workers, friends and family.

There has already been extensive deregulation of shop trading hours in New Zealand. In 1990 most shops could not trade on any Sunday and they were unable to open on nine of the 11 recognised public holidays. Now they can trade on 51 out of 52 Sundays and every public holiday except Good Friday, Christmas Day and the morning of Anzac Day.  

Already retail workers across New Zealand must frequently work evenings, at the weekend and on many public holidays. Public holidays perform a vital social function allowing workers to spend quality time with their friends and family and provide economic space for the expression of work-life balance.

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