Retail workers challenge holiday store openings

The OIYE federation representing private sector workers, particularly in retail, on Tuesday issued an announcement saying that no stores should open on Tuesday, January 2.

The union demanded that January 2 be reinstated as a holiday for the retail sector after a Labor Ministry decision in 2015 gave shop owners the right to open their businesses on that day, as well as on several Sundays over the year.
OIYE has taken issue with the decision to allow Sunday openings, saying that it only benefits large retail chains and multinational corporations. It also said that it has received dozens of complaints from workers claiming they were “blackmailed” by their employers to either work on holidays or take the day as part of their regular leave.

The federation added that its members are prepared to stage protest rallies in front of any stores that decide to open on January 2.