EDITORIAL

It has been just over three years since the Shops Act was amended, but from the looks of it, it would seem that not many businesses are taking full advantage of the late opening hours it provides for, and one can argue that this is to their detriment and indeed this country’s.

Now while some establishments have been taking the opportunity to open outside of regular business hours and have been reaping benefits, others suggest that opening extra hours is not cost effective as business is slow, and especially so on bank holidays. This has often been a cry of some who have opened their doors on bank holidays hoping to capitalise on sales, but perhaps their issue is that they do not advertise that they are open, and therefore persons would not know to come and patronise them. Admittedly, too, their concern may be that they are required by law to pay employees twice their ordinary rate on such days, but perhaps they should weigh the cost of paying a worker additional for the holiday and closing their doors entirely.

The Act came to mind when there was concern raised about the negative impact that the bank holidays, which were recently observed in this country, had on the business community and indeed the economy, and their impact on productivity as well. And there was a call for a rationalisation of public holidays. But one can argue that the claim is moot, for while the bank holidays did occur, those defined as shops were only mandated to close Good Friday and Easter Sunday, which means that the other holidays were certainly up for grabs.

Additionally, while one would like to see more stores opening on public holidays, there is also a desire to see stores, in particular those in the Bridgetown, opening later on evenings. Bridgetown must be singled out as there are several malls across the island which potential customers can frequent after 5:30 p.m. when our capital city becomes a virtual ghost town. The fact is that only on Fridays do some stores open past that time.

It is therefore our considered opinion that there is need for a paradigm shift as it relates to the way local businesses operate, getting out of the habit of opening only between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, closing early on Saturdays and being closed on Sundays. The fact is that to some extent the legislative framework is there, what is needed now is get the players on board.

Now in addition to amending the hours of operation of shops, the Act spoke about improving the terms and conditions of service under which shop assistants are employed and improving the health and safety standards in shops.

It is certainly our hope that the relevant authorities have been checking in with businesses to ensure that they are meeting the various requirements as outlined in the legislation. That would include appropriate seating for staff as well as lunchroom and bathroom facilities for the shop assistants in their employ. Some employers may not be aware, but the legislation also states that they must provide an adequate supply of drinking water, free of cost for use by shop assistants, in the room or area designated for taking meals.

Given that the legislation has been in place for a few years now, one could argue they have had ample time to correct any issues. We have no doubt that while it is not publicised, the Labour Department does spot checks on businesses, but we also know that there are several establishments that are in contravention of the law and continue to do so despite warnings.

It is hoped the authorities crackdown on these persons and where necessary prosecute them to the full extent of the law.