We have a few Easter traditions in New Zealand; Creme eggs, hot cross buns....and whining about the Easter trading laws!
Why is it that people just find it so hard to deal with the shops being closed for two (non-consecutive) days? I am not at all religious, but I think Easter is a really important chance for people to have a break with their friends and family, and maybe even discover that not all pastimes have to involve the purchasing of consumer goods. And of course, if you really need to buy some stuff, you could always do it on one of the other 361.5 days of the year when the shops are allowed to open!
It also really irritates me that people frame this as a freedom of choice issue, given that the staff who would be forced to work at Easter would not have any real choice in the matter. They will be directed to work, simple as that. Personally, I remember my father having to work publc holidays, and he was never "asked" to work. He just had to work.
In fact I would like to see the list of exceptions to easter closing narrowed, and the fines for breaching the laws increased. I think the fine should be a certain percentage of sales for the day, and the exceptions should be reduced to only include fuel and restricted hours for small shops and restaurants. If that inconveniences some tourists, well, thats sad, but can't they find something to do outdoors? Surely they can cope with waiting one day to buy that greenstone pendant?
1 comment:
You have a really good point about the lack of choice so many people have when determining their hours of work. I get pretty fed up with commenters who reckon if you don't like it you can just get another job. Kind of disconnected from the reality of working life methinks.
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