The Dutch trade union FNV has notified the cabinet, urging ministers not to alter legal protections for weekends, evenings off, and holidays under the Shop Hours Act. FNV director Linda Vermeulen criticised the government, stating that ordinary workers constantly bear the cost of political decisions. She pointed to previous changes to unemployment benefit (WW), disability benefit (WIA), and the state pension (AOW), warning that the weekend itself is now at risk of being sacrificed.
According to the FNV, politicians in The Hague have spent some time discussing plans to extend trading hours further and remove existing restrictions on Sunday trading. Vermeulen argued that the government threatens to prioritise the commercial interests of retail companies over the well-being of employees and their families. She noted that retail and distribution centre staff already face staff shortages, high workloads, and low wages.
Under the current Shop Hours Act, shops can open from Monday to Saturday between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm. Local municipalities hold the power to grant exemptions for extended opening hours. A recent attempt by several supermarkets to bypass these local council decisions failed at the Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb).
The FNV views these local municipal agreements on Sunday and evening opening hours as essential protection for retail staff. The union warned that breaking the national law would undermine these safeguards. If that happens, the FNV believes shop workers, distribution staff, drivers, cleaners, and security guards will face growing pressure to work evenings, Sundays, and public holidays.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
