Whether Luxembourg companies will work on Sundays

The government's recent draft legislation to extend Sunday working in commerce has drawn praise from the Chamber of Commerce, which has hailed it as an acknowledgement of changes in the modern labour world. However, as the chamber states in its opinion published on Tuesday, the proposed measures do not address all the problems.

The focus of the reform is on adapting to the changed rhythm of life: new consumer habits, long working hours and the organisational challenges faced by companies. The Chamber of Commerce stresses that competition requires flexibility in work organisation and that Sunday should no longer be regarded as an absolute day off.

According to the chamber, the introduction of an eight-hour working day on Sunday for trade is only the first step. It insists that the same rules should be extended to industry. This, it argues, would improve the situation of a sector in crisis, increase productivity and maintain competitiveness.

The Chamber of Commerce is proposing a fundamental reform: to make Sunday work permissible "by default" rather than exclusive. Today, labour law prohibits work on this day, except for the many reservations and exceptions that have already developed in practice.

The initiative supports the idea of increasing flexibility in the labour market, which employers believe is necessary to adapt to today's competitive environment. However, the proposal may draw criticism from trade unions and labour rights advocates, who have traditionally feared a deterioration in the work-life balance of employees.

The draft law is thus just the beginning of a broader dialogue on the future of employment relations. Supporters of the reform argue that it will provide companies with new opportunities for growth. Opponents, on the other hand, point to the dangers of diluting rest time.