Bern, Switzerland
Swiss voters this week narrowly approved a law allowing certain shops to be open on Sundays. The referendum permits stores at airports and major train stations to stay open all week. Unions had opposed the change, saying it would create pressure to allow stores in nontourist areas to be open on Sunday as well. “The Sunday day off is the oldest institution there is for protecting workers,” said Paul Rechsteiner of the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions. Church leaders were also unhappy with the outcome. Many stores have been staying open on Sundays anyway, so the law essentially validates what was already taking place.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
5 weather-beaten cartoons about the Texas floodsCartoons Artists take on funding cuts, politicizing tragedy, and more
-
What has the Dalai Lama achieved?The Explainer Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader has just turned 90, and he has been clarifying his reincarnation plans
-
Europe's heatwave: the new front line of climate changeIn the Spotlight How will the continent adapt to 'bearing the brunt of climate change'?
