Amid high unemployment rates, tax hikes and a public struggling to pay bills, French citizens are asking the government to lift Sunday's mandatory day off status, in a call to "Let us work!"
A French law that has been in place for over a hundred years currently bars most stores from opening on Sundays. The nation's Socialist government stated that the most important thing to do right now, given the country's shaky economy, is create jobs, and critics of the legislation say that changing the long-standing rule might be a means toward that end. The legislation currently seals Sunday off as a mandatory day of rest to ensure positive quality of life, TIME reported. Some stores are exempt from this law, especially in tourist areas. Some claim that this rule - heavily supported by labor unions and Roman Catholics - infringes upon modernized ways of life and business. Others say that the Sunday law contributes to an overall economic disadvantage for France.
French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault seemed to address the call for revision of the law, after he organized a review of the legislation on Monday. But he still maintained that the long-standing rule is in place for a particular reason.
"The government notes that Sunday rest is an essential principle in terms of protecting workers and social cohesion," his office wrote in a statement. In the memo, Ayrault acknowledged that "the existence of Sunday work is a reality."
Last week, a court ruled that home improvement chains Leroy Merlin and Castorama must close 14 stores in the Paris area on Sundays, with potential fines of up to 120,000 euros on each location that didn't follow instructions. Employees from the stores demonstrated in front of the establishments, asking for Sunday work that would give them extra money and help customers who need weekends to shop.
"We want to work Sunday! Let us work!" Gerard Fillon, Leroy Merlin employee and spokesperson for association of workers Sunday's Handymen, shouted while rallying for his organization.
At one of the chain's locations in Gennevilliers, some workers wore t-shirts with "Yes Weekend" emblazoned on the front.
According to TIME, each European country has variant laws on work weeks. Most British stores open on Sunday, while German stores must close up shop at 2 p.m. on Saturday until Monday. Some establishments - like gas stations - are given exemptions. In Berlin, stores are given an allotment of 10 Sundays a year to open for business.
