The Association of Small Retailers is once again calling for permission for small shops to operate on Sundays during five months of the year, covering both the summer and winter tourist seasons.
“We would save small entrepreneurs and their jobs, while tourists would have a place to shop on Sundays. Think of us as a company employing 1,500 people. We are only asking to work during those five months, and 1,000 jobs would be saved. Large retail chains account for 95% of total turnover, while we make up just five percent — and that five percent is crucial for our survival,” said Željko Ćetković on the program “Boje jutra” on TV Vijesti.
He added that workers are “as valuable as gold” today and have the freedom to choose where to work, noting that salaries in small markets are 30 to 40 percent higher than in large chains.
Ćetković also said that special conditions could be arranged, such as higher daily wages and additional days off, to ensure that Sunday work is fair and sustainable.
“We need to understand that our economy relies heavily on the summer tourist season, and working during this period is essential for the survival of small retailers,” he emphasized.
