Americans take shopping on a Sunday for granted. But Greece, a heavily religious country, has been reluctant to embrace the concept.
Now, seven years into a financial crisis, the International Monetary Fund is insisting that the government allow Sunday shopping, in an effort to kickstart the economy.
But members of the clergy and those in small and medium sized business say “never on Sunday,” and they’re not referring to the 1960s Melina Mercouri film.
Many shop keepers object, stating that costs are higher for staff on Sundays and if they open, they ultimately lose.
And clergy from the country’s Greek Orthodox Church say Sundays are a day of rest and spiritual fulfillment, not for work.
PBS News Hour Special correspondent Malcolm Brabant reported on the issue of Sunday shopping in Greece.
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They forced Sunday shopping in Toronto over 20 years ago and its has been destructive to family life. Although the Ontario government at the time said no one would be forced to work on Sundays that is no longer the reality, most places will not hire you if you tell them you cannot work on Sundays. The illusion of freedom to go to a store whenever you like has created a reality where hundreds of thousands must work, this means no work life balance, spouses, family and friends all have to make special arrangements to have days off to meet or skip work/pay. The Sunday shopping law ultimately makes the most poor in society serfs and takes away the universal concept of a day of rest.