No. If anything the pendulum has already tilted too far in favour of big retail business and shopping centre landlords.
All retailers in NSW can open for trade on almost 99% of days in the year. Many retailers, inlcuding "small shops", petrol stations, fast food outlets and retailers siutated in various "tourist resort areas" are entitled to open for trade every day of the year.
Retail workers enjoy some protection on just four and a half days per year. Every one of these days is a day of social, cultural or religious significance observed by the wider Australian population; Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Anzac Day (half day).
The restricted trading day status and the voluntary work rights (where shops are exempt to trade) ensure that hard working retail employees and small retailers have the right to insist that they can take the time with family and friends to celebrate these occasions just like the vast majority of the Australian population.
Is it really too much to ask that retail workers can be guaranteed time off on this small number of special days in the year?
