The union of free trade unions in Montenegro urges support for non-working Sundays amidst a debate over a law amendment.

The Union of Free Trade Unions (USSCG) has expressed its support for certain parliamentary clubs that have announced their opposition to the proposed amendment of the Law on Internal Trade before receiving the compromise proposal from social partners. The USSCG clarifies that the proposal does not seek the abolition of non-working Sundays but rather a temporary exception during certain seasons. USSCG calls on all parliamentary clubs to show empathy towards workers in various industries and advocate for a non-working Sunday for construction, catering, media, and other sectors.

 

The USSCG highlights that since October 2019, no parliamentary club has defended the non-working Sunday, which has been threatened by employers and previous governments. In March 2023, the Social Council, consisting of representatives from trade unions, employers' associations, and the government, recommended amending the Law on Internal Trade. Alongside the recommendation, a compromise proposal from social partners was submitted, aiming to accommodate the tourist nature of Montenegro, fill the budget, and address the needs of small traders and family shops.

The proposed compromise allows for a temporary exception to Article 35a of the law during the summer and winter tourist seasons of 2023–24. Wholesale and retail trade would be permitted on Sundays within specific hours and conditions, with labor inspections strengthened for supervision. Traders would need to notify the labor inspection at least 15 days before commencing work on Sundays, and employees working on Sundays would receive an 80 percent hourly wage increase.

As new parliamentary elections are scheduled for June 11, further discussions on the topic may be delayed until the new convocation. The USSCG suggests that the Constitutional Court could potentially invalidate the relevant article of the law, as an initiative for this was submitted by the Union of Employers in August 2019.