Nearly two years after the introduction of non-working Sundays for shops in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the question of potential legal amendments has resurfaced. Political announcements have sparked uncertainty among retail sector employees, while public opinion remains divided on whether shops should remain closed on Sundays.
While some argue that workers are entitled to a guaranteed day of rest, others warn that Sunday closures limit shopping options and impact the economies of local communities.
The Federal Ministry of Trade states that current economic indicators do not justify repealing the non-working Sunday policy. According to data from the Tax Administration of the Federation of BiH, the implementation of the Law on Internal Trade has not resulted in a drop in total turnover, mass layoffs, or a significant shift of consumer spending to Republika Srpska. On the contrary, the data showed an increase in turnover within the local communities studied.
Conversely, economics professor Adisa Omerbegović Arapović warns that the measure’s impact cannot be assessed solely based on the Federation’s total turnover. She believes it is necessary to analyze the consequences for specific local communities—particularly those near the inter-entity boundary—where Sunday shopping habits have shifted.
The Trade and Service Workers’ Union of BiH emphasizes that the non-working Sunday has provided workers with a sense of security they often lacked previously. Although the Labor Law guaranteed them one day off per week, employees could not always know in advance when they would take it, and in some cases, they did not receive it at all.
The issue resurfaced following the elections in the Federation of BiH. The SDA, which won the most seats in the federal parliament, had previously criticized the introduction of non-working Sundays and announced plans to push for legislative amendments. Representatives of the party declined to comment on potential changes this time around.
Consequently, retail employees remain uncertain whether Sunday will continue to be a guaranteed day off. While some advocate for maintaining the current arrangement, others seek to allow stores to operate seven days a week. The ultimate direction of the debate will depend on potential political agreements and the subsequent actions of the relevant institutions.
