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.
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