News

Trade Union of Employees in Commerce and Tourism



Information regarding the opening hours in commerce in the Slovak Republic

The legislation does not exactly regulate how should be commercial companies and firms operating in Slovakia open.



In the Labor Code however exist provisions regarding days of working rest that are connected to the opening hours in shops.



Days of rest are days on which continuous rest of an employee falls in the week and holidays.



Work on days of rest may only be charged exceptionally and upon prior negotiation with employees’ representatives (basic organization or works council).



On a day of continuous rest in the week an employee may only be charged the following necessary work that cannot be performed on working days:

- urgent repair work,

- loading and unloading work,

- stock-taking and closing of accounts work,

- work performed in continuous operations for an employee who failed to take up his/her shift,

- work for averting threat endangering life or health, or in case of extraordinary events,

- imperative work with regard to satisfying the living, health and cultural needs of the population,

- feeding and care of agricultural animals,

- imperative work in agriculture crop production with planting, cultivating and harvesting of crops and in the processing of foodstuff raw materials.



On a public holiday, it shall be possible to charge an employee with such work only which may be charged on days of continuous rest in the week, work in continuous operations and work necessary for guarding the premises of the employer.



For work on public holidays belongs to tan employee wage as well as a wage allowance of 50% his/her average earning. In the collective agreement higher allowance could be agreed.



From these Labor Code provisions clearly results that the work on days of working rest, on Sundays and on public holidays is not necessary in commerce. Depends on agreements among the employer, employee and employees´ representative.



Employers reason that the work on days of working rest (Sundays) is a voluntary work of an employee for a advantageous wage.



Outlets of commercial companies are mostly open from 7 am until 8 pm or 10 pm or until 12 am, on Sundays and public holidays from 7 or 8 am until 5 to 10 pm, some are open nonstop (Tesco Stores).



Trade Union of Employees in Commerce and Tourism (OZPOCR) addressed all members of the Slovak Parliament (National Council of the Slovak Republic) as well as political parties in writing and expressed its standpoint to work on Sundays and public holidays.



In the year 2008 passed the parliament law stating that employees could not perform work (except the work listed in the Labor Code) on 1^st January (New Year’s Day), on Easter Sunday, on 24^th December (Christmas Eve) after 12 pm and on 25^th December (Christmas Day) not even on the basis of voluntarism.