4th Advent: broad approval of open deals
business
The demand by the Chamber of Commerce to open the shops on the fourth Sunday in Advent met with broad approval in Salzburg. Because of the special situation, this is uniquely conceivable, say the union and the church Sunday alliance.
The current lockdown affects retailers at what is usually the busiest time of the year – the Christmas season. A loss of these sales would mean a loss of around 250 million euros in Salzburg alone, calculates the Chamber of Commerce. That is why the opening on the fourth Sunday in Advent should remain a one-off rescue operation, emphasizes Johann Höflmaier, the business division manager of the Chamber of Commerce: “The special measures apply to all industries that are now locked down – not to the grocery and drugstores”
Union, Church: “One-time exception”
The union shows that you are ready to talk. For Michael Huber, managing director of the private employees’ union GPA in Salzburg, it is important “that special remuneration is guaranteed for the employees”. In addition, “two red lines should not be crossed: First, the Chamber of Commerce acknowledges that there will be a one-time exception. The second is that only those stores open that have now closed during the lockdown. “
Even at the Sunday Alliance of the Catholic Church there is understanding for the wishes of the economy, says Elisabeth Mayer, spokeswoman for the Sunday Alliance: “I am aware that the Christmas business also depends on livelihoods. Therefore, in this absolutely exceptional situation, we don’t want to stand in the way of the Sunday opening on the fourth Sunday of Advent this year. ”However, this exception should“ in no way break the dam for a general Sunday opening, ”emphasized Mayer. The state of Salzburg would be responsible for the necessary approval for the Sunday opening.