The optional Sunday opening of the shops due to the newly established mid-season sales, held from May 2 until May 10, has caused tension among retail workers and the Greek government.
According to the announcement of the Athens Traders Association, because of the Athens semi-marathon, held on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., shops will be open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
However, the Greek Federation of Private Employees (OIYE) has launched a 24-hour strike on May 4 for retail workers in protest at Sunday shop opening. They have also planned a protest outside the Athens shopping center “The Mall Athens” at 11 a.m. on Sunday.
As stressed by OIYE, three weeks ago, on the Sunday before the Holy Week, shops in Greece were also open and thousands of retail workers were forced to work. However, they are still waiting to be paid by their employers. “Consumers don’t shop, they just go for a walk. Small businesses have been exhausted trying to catch up with the competition of leading foreign chains, large shopping centers and discount villages and opens on Sundays with unsustainable operating costs,” said the Federation’s announcement.
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