Extended opening hours for another three months

Labour Minister Zeta Emilianidou on Friday renewed the decree on extended shop opening hours for another three months.

Shops may remain open from Monday to Saturday from 5am until 10pm or 11pm depending on the district they are in. On Sundays, all shops may open at 10.30am and close at 7.30pm

The labour ministry said opening hours on Sunday were shorter to allow kiosks and convenience stores to receive more business.

“As part of the government’s policy to support small businesses, the minister has issued a decree that will increase the items which kiosks and convenience stores are permitted to sell,” a ministry statement said.

As well as the existing items they are permitted to sell, they will also be permitted to sell cleaning items, rice, past, vinegar and fire wood.

The ministry added that businesses could take advantage of current programmes which fund hiring new personnel.

An agreement was signed in the presence of the labour ministry between unions and retail associations to ensure fair working conditions and hours.

The new decree on opening hours will run between March 1 and May 31. Before the previous decree was issued the minister said that the government was currently working on a bill to permanently extend opening hours.

 

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