Sunday shopping in France to be debated in January

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The controversial new law to extend Sunday opening for shops in France, will be debated during the second half of January 2009, according to Luc Chatel , the secretary of state for industry and consumer affairs.  He said "In the second half of January, we must be able to address this issue in the National Assembly."

He cited the future of current Sunday workers as a reason for resolving the text saying "It is urgent for 20,000 employees who regularly work on Sundays and are now in doubt for their employment contract."

A revised text will be submitted to the National Assembly, taking into account the positions of the government, the president and the parliamentary groups.  The text is likely to stop short of allowing shops the freedom to open on all Sundays, but an increase is likely in the permitted number of times they can open, with the current five times likely to be raised to ten times per year (excluding the Christmas period).

The law has met with cross-party opposition, with socialist legislators submitting over 4,000 changes to text so far, adding to vocal opposition from within President Sarkozy's own UMP party.  Despite the high profile politicians insisting that France wants to keep Sunday a day of rest, according to opinion polls there is a small majority in France who are actually in favour of Sunday opening.