Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Plans Sunday Work Changes

Nine months after introducing a non-working Sunday in the Federation of BiH, the government plans September 2025 amendments allowing small shops (up to 200 m²) to open on Sundays if operated solely by owners or their family members. The change aims to balance worker rights with market needs, addressing a severe labour shortage in the service sector estimated at around 30,000 workers.

Approximately nine months have passed since the non-working Sunday began to be applied in the Federation of BiH, a topic that has caused heated controversy in the public.

When the law was passed, officials argued that the goal was to protect workers' rights to allow store workers to spend Sundays with their families.

The Federal Minister of Trade claims that the first positive effects of the non-working week are already visible and announces changes to the law in September 2025. According to representatives of this Ministry, these changes do not mean the abolition of the existing practice but its adaptation to the needs of the field.

The new model, proposed by the Ministry, defines that owners of small shops can work on Sundays, but without hiring employees to work on those days. According to the proposal, independent stores up to 200 square metres could be opened, but only with the work of the owners themselves or their family members.

The minister explained that this solution is in accordance with another law in this country, which allows family members to help in their work, even if they are not formally employed.

The issue of working on Sundays has been exacerbated by a chronic shortage of labour, as explained. In the service sector, where the pressure is greatest, estimates speak of a current shortage of about 30,000 workers.

In an attempt to alleviate the pressures on the labour market, the Federal Employment Service and cantonal services are increasingly investing in the retraining and upskilling of the domestic workforce as well.