Government passes baton to local councils over Easter trading
Easter trading bill passes third reading by a whisker.
Easter trading bill passes third reading by a whisker.
The Easter trading bill, which would allow regional authorities to decide whether their shops can open on Easter Sunday, has passed its third reading by three votes.
The bill, formally called the Shop Trading House Amendment Bill, means local governments will be able to determine whether to allow shop trading on Easter Sunday across their entire district or in limited areas.
But local councils will need to consult their communities using the special consultative procedure on any local policy that would allow shop trading on Easter Sunday, and will have to review the local policy later than five years after its adoption.
“All shop employees will now have the right to refuse to work on Easter Sunday without being required to give a reason. They will also be able to take a personal grievance if they are treated adversely or compelled to work on Easter Sunday,” Workplace Relations Minister Michael Woodhouse.
“This acknowledges the significance of Easter Sunday for many people, and that some employees may want to spend the day with their families instead of working.”
Former BusinessNZ chief executive Phil O’Reilly was a supporter of the bill, telling NBR last year the move was a step in the right direction for businesses.
“There are many instances of businesses, particularly in tourism and retail, wanting to offer their trade to their communities,” he says.
He says this has long been a frustration for many that they could not open at all over one of the busiest periods of the year.
This time last year, NBR asked member subscribers if it was time to do away with trading restrictions on days of religious or cultural significance, of which a majority said yes.
The bill passed by 62 votes to 59 in Parliament this afternoon.
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