Parliamentarians Pass Draft Law Introducing Non-Working Sundays

(Patria) - Federal Minister of Trade Amir Hasičević stated after the adoption of the new law on internal trade in the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament that this regulation, which is in draft form, introduces non-working Sundays as a rule for the operation of retail outlets.

- We have also defined the working hours of retail outlets, as well as some exceptions. We have regulated the issue of price formation and display – Hasičević pointed out.

During the drafting of the law's text, a synergy was achieved with consumer associations, trade unions, and employers, forming a good team that will be able to respond to all future challenges the market brings.

In practice, different solutions regarding the determination and scheduling of working hours for Sundays occurred, which were enacted by cantons, cities, and municipalities through their ordinances.

This led to different treatment of Sunday work and complicated business operations for trade companies operating throughout the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The current Law on Internal Trade does not recognize non-working Sundays as a rule for the operation of retail outlets.

Thus, the aforementioned new law stipulates that "the working hours of retail outlets shall be determined by the trader from Monday to Saturday, totaling 90 hours per week, that retail outlets shall be closed on Sundays and public holidays, and that the Government of the FBiH or the competent ministry of labor and social policy shall determine, by its decision or ordinance, which holidays are non-working in the FBiH, and by decision, it may determine which retail outlets are obliged to work during holidays".

The innovations brought by the law on internal trade are: a more precise explanation of the term trader and trade activity, as well as other entities that can conduct trade activities under certain conditions (natural persons, citizens' associations, farmers), regulation of the working hours of retail outlets, and further regulation of the procedures and obligations of traders in conducting trade activities.

Furthermore, the law more comprehensively regulates issues of importance to consumers, such as granting discounts or selling at reduced prices.

The law has detailed regulations for online sales, considering its increasing share in total retail turnover. With the development of online sales, certain deviations have emerged due to the legally unregulated state in the area of electronic business in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and imprecise legal solutions that minimally regulate this area, making it necessary to provide adequate mechanisms to sanction such behavior.

Upon the entry into force of this law, the Government will also establish the Council for Trade Development of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an advisory body for the purpose of improving trade development in the Federation.