Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – The Parliament has adopted the amendments to the Internal Trade Law, prohibiting wholesale and retail trade on Sundays and on holidays.
Forty-four MPs voted in favour, while nobody abstained or voted against the proposed amendments.
Nine amendments to the proposed amendments to the Law had been submitted, eight of which were adopted, while one was withdrawn by Andrija Popovic of the Liberal Party.
In early March, the Government proposed the amendments to the Internal Trade Law, according to which the wholesale and retail trade is prohibited on Sundays and on holidays, expect if necessary to satisfy essential needs of citizens.
In late May, the Government adopted the amendment exempting the pharmacies, bakeries and pastry shops, florists, souvenir shops, and stores selling newspapers, plant protection chemicals and funeral equipment from the prohibition.
The exemptions also cover the petrol stations and the attached stores, farmers’ markets, stands and vending machines outside the farmers’ markets, mobile shops, as well as stores, kiosks and vending machines at the bus stations, airports and ports.
They also include the stands and kiosks open during the events, festivals, exhibitions and public screenings, as well as the wholesale storage facilities.
A majority of the Members of Parliament saw the amendments to the Law as positive, while the deputies of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) warned that they could be declared unconstitutional.
This political party believes that the right to a 24-hour weekly rest is already guaranteed by the national legislation, but the problem is in its inconsistent implementation.
Two days after the public consultation on the proposed amendments was closed, the Montenegrin Employers’ Federation (UPCG) announced that it would request from the Constitutional Court to assess the constitutionality of the Internal Trade Law.
The UPCG believes that the proposed amendments interfere with the economic rights. Longer version of article is available on a link MINA ENGLISH SERVIS
