Easter Trading welcomed

The Government’s announcement today that trading is to be allowed on Easter Sunday will be welcomed by business, said Phil O’Reilly, chief executive of Business New Zealand.

Local authorities will have discretion to allow shops to open on Easter Sunday, however employers will not be able to require employees to work if they don’t want to.

Giving local government the ability to decide what will work for their region makes sense, said Mr O’Reilly.

“There are many instances of businesses particularly in tourism and retail wanting to offer their trade to their communities. It’s long been a frustration for many that they couldn’t open at all over one of the busiest periods of the year.”

Ideally, councils will work closely with businesses and the wider community to determine what works best for them, said Mr O’Reilly. “It’s as much about being available to the locals as it is about shops being open for holidays makers,” he said.

“Allowing trading on the Sunday strikes a good balance between weighing up benefits for businesses and the community and respecting the wishes of individual employees. Agreement will be necessary and that means employees can also choose between working or enjoying the holiday.”

ENDS

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