Today, a bill allowing two trading Sundays per month was referred to committee, after the Sejm rejected motions from PiS and Left party MPs to dismiss it at the first reading. The bill, introduced by MPs from Poland 2050-Third Way in March, has been directed to the Economic Development and Social Policy and Family Committees.
Provisions of the New Bill
The proposed legislation stipulates two trading Sundays per month. Employees working on Sundays would receive double pay and be granted a compensatory day off within six days before or after the Sunday shift. This proposal aims to balance the needs of businesses and workers, offering additional income opportunities while ensuring adequate rest periods.
The current law, which came into effect on March 1, 2018, restricts Sunday trading with 32 specific exemptions. These include postal services (where at least 40% of revenue is from postal activities), bakeries, ice cream parlors, fuel stations, flower shops, newsstands, and cafes. Violations of the Sunday trading ban can result in fines ranging from 1,000 to 100,000 PLN, or even imprisonment for persistent offenders.
Existing Exceptions to the Ban
Since 2020, the trading ban has been lifted on only seven Sundays each year: the last Sundays of January, April, June, and August, as well as the Sunday before Easter and the two Sundays preceding Christmas. This limited flexibility highlights the stringent nature of the current restrictions, which the new proposal seeks to alleviate.